How to Spot Phone Scams Targeting Seniors

Phone scams cost older Americans billions of dollars every year. According to the FBI, seniors lose more than $3 billion annually to fraud, and phone-based scams remain one of the most common methods criminals use. The good news? Most scams follow recognizable patterns, and knowing what to look for can make all the difference.

Why Seniors Are Targeted

Scammers target older adults for several reasons. Many seniors grew up in an era where a phone call from a stranger was trustworthy. They may live alone, making them more vulnerable to pressure tactics. And some scammers assume older adults are less familiar with modern fraud techniques.

None of this means seniors are gullible. It means the criminals are sophisticated and persistent.

The Most Common Phone Scams

The Grandparent Scam

A caller pretends to be a grandchild in distress. They might say they've been arrested, are stuck in a foreign country, or had a car accident. They'll beg for money and plead with you not to tell anyone. The emotional urgency is designed to override critical thinking.

How to spot it: Ask a question only your real grandchild would know. Hang up and call them directly at their known phone number. Never wire money based on an unexpected call.

IRS and Government Impersonation

Callers claim to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, or Medicare. They threaten arrest, benefit cancellation, or legal action unless you pay immediately, often through gift cards or wire transfers.

How to spot it: The IRS never calls to demand immediate payment. Government agencies communicate primarily through mail. They will never ask for payment via gift cards.

Tech Support Scams

Someone calls claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, or your internet provider. They say your computer has a virus and offer to "fix" it, but what they really want is remote access to your device or your credit card number.

How to spot it: Legitimate tech companies do not make unsolicited calls about problems with your computer. If someone calls you out of the blue about a tech issue, hang up.

Medicare and Health Insurance Scams

Scammers call offering free medical equipment, genetic testing kits, or insurance plan upgrades. They ask for your Medicare number, which they then use to file fraudulent claims.

How to spot it: Never give your Medicare number to someone who calls you. Medicare will not call to sell you products or ask for your number over the phone.

Lottery and Prize Scams

You're told you've won a sweepstakes or lottery, but you need to pay taxes or a processing fee upfront. Of course, there's no real prize.

How to spot it: You cannot win a contest you didn't enter. Legitimate lotteries never require upfront payment to collect winnings.

Red Flags to Watch For

No matter what form the scam takes, these warning signs are almost always present:

• Urgency. They pressure you to act immediately.
• Secrecy. They ask you not to tell family members.
• Unusual payment methods. Gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency are almost always a sign of fraud.
• Too good to be true. Free money, prizes, or offers that seem unrealistic usually are.
• Caller ID spoofing. Just because a number looks local or official doesn't mean it is. Scammers can fake caller ID.

What to Do If You Suspect a Scam

1. Hang up. You are never obligated to stay on the phone.
2. Don't call back the number they provide. Look up the organization's official number independently.
3. Talk to someone you trust. A family member, friend, or SafeLineCare can help you evaluate the situation.
4. Report it. File a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-382-4357.

How to Protect Your Parents

If you have aging parents, you can help by:

• Having an open conversation about common scams without being condescending.
• Setting up call screening or a robocall blocker on their phone.
• Establishing a family code word that can be used to verify emergency calls.
• Encouraging them to check with you before sending money to anyone they don't know.
• Giving them a trusted resource to call when something feels wrong.

That last point is exactly why SafeLineCare exists. When your parents get a suspicious call and aren't sure what to do, they can call SafeLineCare for patient, judgment-free guidance. No shame, no jargon, just help when they need it.