5 Common Phone Scams Targeting Seniors and How to Avoid Them
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and unfortunately, older adults are often targeted because scammers believe they may be more trusting or less familiar with modern technology.
The good news is that understanding a few common scams can go a long way toward protecting yourself and your loved ones.
Here are five common phone scams seniors should watch for and how to avoid them.
1. The "Grandparent" Scam
In this scam, someone calls pretending to be a grandchild or other family member in trouble.
They may claim to have:
Been arrested
Been in an accident
Lost their wallet
Needed emergency money
The caller often asks for money to be sent immediately and may ask the victim not to tell anyone.
How to Protect Yourself
Stay calm.
Hang up and contact the family member directly using a trusted phone number.
Never send money based solely on an unexpected phone call.
2. Medicare or Health Insurance Scams
Scammers may pretend to represent Medicare or an insurance company and ask for personal information.
They often claim:
A new card is required
Benefits will be canceled
Information needs to be verified
How to Protect Yourself
Medicare generally does not call asking for personal information.
Never provide Social Security numbers, Medicare numbers, or banking information over the phone.
Contact Medicare directly if you have concerns.
3. Tech Support Scams
A caller claims your phone or computer has a virus and offers to help fix it.
They may:
Request remote access
Ask for payment
Claim urgent action is needed
How to Protect Yourself
Legitimate companies do not make unsolicited calls about device problems.
Never provide remote access to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
Hang up immediately if the call feels suspicious.
4. Package Delivery Text Scams
Many people receive text messages claiming a package could not be delivered.
The message often includes:
A tracking link
A request to update information
A request for payment
How to Protect Yourself
Do not click links from unexpected text messages.
Visit the shipping company's website directly if you are expecting a package.
Delete suspicious messages.
5. Bank or Credit Card Fraud Alerts
Scammers may pretend to be your bank and claim your account has been compromised.
They may ask you to:
Verify account information
Provide passwords
Share security codes
How to Protect Yourself
Hang up and call the bank directly using the number on your card.
Never share one-time security codes with anyone.
Verify all requests independently.
A Good Rule to Remember
If someone creates urgency, asks for money, requests personal information, or tells you to keep something secret, take a step back before responding.
Scammers rely on panic and pressure.
Taking a few moments to verify information can help prevent fraud and protect your finances.
Technology Should Help You Feel Safe
At In-Home Help, we believe technology should make life easier, not more stressful.
We provide patient, one-on-one technology assistance for seniors and families in Orange County, New York, including help with smartphones, tablets, scam prevention, email setup, video calling, and everyday technology questions.
If you or a loved one would like help learning how to use technology safely and confidently, we'd be happy to help.
