Common Scams and Those That Target Seniors

The scam How it works Identification & Prevention AI scams Scammers use artificial intelligence to perpetuate scams AI technology is used in this type of scam. For instance, AI-generated videos may be used to impersonate celebrities to sell products without their consent. The products may be costly, dangerous, or non-existent. Learn how to spot deepfakes, defined as images, videos, or audio that have been edited or generated using artificial intelligence. In videos, this may include flickering around the face and hair, unnatural movements or pauses, strange facial expressions, and odd lightning. Also research products and celebrity endorsements to verify legitimacy. Bank text scam Scams involving urgent texts purportedly from a banking institution Typically, a person receives a text from a bank featuring an urgent request for information. Sometimes, the text is about a new product and contains an embedded link to learn more. Once you click on the link, the action may download malware onto your computer. Or you may be required to input bank account information to access your account info or money. Once done, the scammer can steal from you. Spam texts, phishing scams, and text scams are unwelcome intrusions to privacy. In bank text scams, fraudsters seek to steal personal information and/or funds. To be safe, don’t respond to random text messages that ask for personal information. Never input account numbers, social security numbers, or other personal information. Be vigilant in reporting bank spam to your banking institution. Billing/invoice scams Scammers send fake invoices to people and demand payment Scammers send fake invoices to individuals or businesses for goods or services that were never provided. The invoices may appear legitimate and even contain product details and lookalike logos to mimic well-known businesses. The invoices may be generic or contain unfamiliar contact names and numbers. Messages may also contain requests to verify payment. If you receive an invoice at random for something you did not buy, simply ignore it. It’s likely a scam. Fake bills may also contain links to click that can put malware on your computer or steal your information. Sometimes, logos are blurred which likely indicate it’s a scam. Misspellings or odd language may also indicate the bill is a scam. Never make payments without independently verifying the bill’s authenticity and accuracy and do not click on links sent to you. Brushing scams Scams that are used by third-party sellers on e-commerce platforms In this scam, third party sellers send out unsolicited items to random addresses to boost their sales figures and push positive reviews online. These items contain no sales history or return addresses. It may seem victimless, but personal information is compromised, so it is indeed serious. Scammers use this technique to write fake reviews in a person’s name without permission. They do this to increase sales numbers and product ratings. Often, the items are cheap rip-offs. A new component of this scam involves quishing, short for QR code phising. If you scan the QR code sent in the package, it may take you to a malicious website where scammers can steal your personal information. Charity scams Scams involving bogus charities or scammers pretending to be from legitimate charities Scammers may establish a fake charity for the purpose of stealing money. Or they may pretend to be from a legitimate charity. These scams tend to occur frequently when natural crisis or disasters strike. These scammers seek to take advantage of other people’s kindness. Scammers seek to exploit victims by tricking them into donating money to a non-existent charity or one that is real but will not receive the funds. Scammers may also attempt to gain personal information from victims. Keep your guard up and strictly donate to organizations that you seek out and know is valid. Check fraud In this scam, bad actors steal mail to carry out check fraud Criminals steal checks or break into mailboxes or rob mail carriers to steal checks. Reports indicate that theft of mailed checks has increased in some states, with scammers altering check details to withdraw funds. Check theft is not new, but it still happens. Rather than mailing a paper check, consider using safer methods of payment such as making secure electronic payments. Senior citizens who dislike paying bills online may choose to use a legitimate digital billing company to secure transactions, make automatic payments and prevent late fees. Crypto scams Digital currency scams that require financial investments Scammers falsely present themselves as experts in digital assets or other financial areas. They attempt to get victims to invest in volatile and unregulated cryptocurrency schemes – ultimately designed to steal victims’ money. While cryptocurrency itself is not a scam, there are many cryptocurrency scams out there such as fake ICOs (initial coin offerings), phishing attacks, and pyramid schemes. Promises of unrealistic returns, high yields, or deals that sound “too good to be true” are main tell-tale signs of cryptocurrency scams. DMV scams Imposter scams related to the Department of Motor Vehicles, particularly vehicle registration and driver’s licenses This scam can take on many forms. One of the most common is the sending of texts or emails by a scammer pretending to represent the DMV stating that a vehicle’s registration or driver’s license is up for renewal. Scammers may provide a link to click asking victims to provide personal information such as their date of birth and driver’s license number. Urgent requests for information or payment requests via texts or emails are typically scams. Some DMV offices offer email and text reminders for driver’s license, ID and vehicle renewals, particularly for those who opt-in for notices. It’s okay to scrutinize text messages and emails and verify sender authenticity. Do watch for signs of fakes such as poor spelling or grammar. If a message or email looks suspicious, simply delete it. Never click on links in unsolicited text messages or emails. Also never pay to access forms or information, that is a scam. Should you receive a random phone call asking for payment (even with DMV showing on the caller ID), it is also a scam. e-commerce scams Scams related to buying and selling things online (eBay/Facebook Marketplace) Many e-commerce scams exist. One of the most common is the selling of counterfeit products. Scammers may also ask people to pay via outside payment platforms such as wire transfers or gift cards to bypass buyer protection. Scams involving codes are also common. This tactic is used to set up a Google Voice number using your phone number to scam others. Prospective buyers should exercise caution when utilizing these types of platforms. Buyers must investigate the integrity of the seller’s profile. Do not use outside payment platforms and don’t do business with anyone asking you to go around this. Never give out codes sent to you. This is a trick designed to steal your number to scam people. Family caregiver scams This scam takes advantage of relatives, friends, and caregivers This scam involves “helpers” who target trusting and vulnerable elderly people or patients.  It may include abuse, neglect or the taking of funds or possessions from someone in their care. Some elderly may feel pressured into giving money after hearing a sob story. This can be ongoing. Whenever possible, use highly qualified licensed professionals who have been vetted as caregivers. Trusted family members should step in and help oversee their elderly relatives’ spending. One should be prepared to take legal power to protect funds when and if the time is right. Foreign gov’t official/royalty scams This scam involves royalty or foreign gov’t officials asking help to move large sums of money Unsolicited emails or texts arrive from fake foreign royalty or gov’t officials asking for help to temporarily move large sums of money to your bank account. They promise to pay a large fee in return for your help. They may say that their foreign accounts are frozen or that there’s urgency due to civil unrest, war, or another crisis. This scam is not new but still exists. There is always an urgency. Understand that foreign royalty or gov’t officials don’t ask random people to help them. This is a scam designed to gain access to your bank account. The scammer can steal your bank account info. Or they will ask you to transfer money back to them, and meanwhile their “deposit” does not clear. Funeral scams Scams that prey upon grieving individuals who recently lost a loved one Most funeral service providers are honorable. This scam involves funeral service providers who are not. These scammers behave unscrupulously by overcharging clients, outsourcing services and/or adding upcharges. In some scams, bad actors may impersonate funeral staff. A telltale sign of this scam is the failure on the part of the funeral home to provide itemized lists and detailed pricing of the services agreed upon. Be prepared by discussing funeral plans with your loved one, fully understanding pricing and agreements, and knowing your consumer rights. Look for established funeral homes that have good ratings through the BBB. Gift card scams Scams involving gift cards   Thieves deceive innocent victims into purchasing and providing them with gift card codes or other valuable information associated with the cards. Thieves often prefer gift cards because they are difficult to trace. NO real business or government agency will ever tell you to buy or use gift cards as payment. If anyone does, they are a scammer. Con artists will tell you to buy gift cards and give them the numbers off the back of the card. Don’t do it. FTC recommends that people keep copies of gift cards and store receipts to report scams. Gold coins/bar scams Scams involving pressure to convert cash into gold In this scam, targets are pressured into converting their cash to gold. Scammers will pick up the cash via couriers and give the victim fake gold coins or worthless bars in exchange. Or they may use impersonation techniques to get victims to convert large sums of money into gold bars and convince them to give it to them for safe keeping. Cash to gold scams are a concerning issue. Scammers typically use high-pressure tactics to manipulate innocent victims into trading cash for gold. Frequently the gold is counterfeit or buyers are overcharged. Be cautious of people who approach you to buy gold and for deals that seem too good to be true.  Unrealistic low prices or promise of high returns signal potential scams. Should you wish to buy gold, do so exclusively through a reputable dealer that you’ve researched and are certain is legitimate. IRS, FBI and other gov’t official imposter scams Scammers pretend to represent a government agency such as the IRS, FBI, or Social Security office Here, scammers lie about their identity and work to gain the victim’s trust. They typically also create a fake problem such as saying that you owe money to the IRS. They may ask you to share personal information or threaten arrest or fines if you do not make payments to them. Understand that government officials do not randomly call people to say that they owe money. Mainly, government agencies like the IRS will notify people via U.S. mail if payments are due. It’s best to not engage with random callers, texts, or emails claiming to be from the gov’t and demanding payment because they are likely scammers. Take time to verify legitimacy of tax or other notices received in the mail to avoid being scammed. Going out of business scams Scammers use the name of popular chain stores that are going out of business to perpetuate the scam Scammers pretend to be from businesses that are closing. They may appropriate logos, steal corporate letterheads and use names and addresses without permission to sell products that do not exist. Scammers may go as far as establishing fake websites and providing customers with fake tracking numbers. If a company announces it is closing, only use their official website to make purchases. Pay attention to the website address (URL) to make sure it is legitimate. Also understand the official close date to avoid being scammed. Anyone randomly contacting you with last minute deals is likely a scammer. Always be on guard. Watch for unusual email addresses and avoid making transactions that sound too good to be true. Grandparent scams Scammers using voice cloning or trickery pretend to be a grandchild in distress Scammers reach out to older people, typically via phone, and pretend to be their grandchild. Scammers create a fake story/emergency to perpetuate the scam. Scammers posing as grandchildren ask for help and money. The caller may instruct the grandparent to keep everything a secret or pay by unusual methods such as by wire transfer – all part of this elaborate scam. Grandparent scams prey upon older people who may have compromised hearing or difficulty with voice identification. They also prey upon emotions and goodwill, expecting that grandparents are willing to help their grandchildren. To avoid being tricked by scammers, hang up with the caller and use an independent phone number (one you have on file) to reach your grandchild. Never call back a number given to you by a scammer or redial the number that called you – as that redirects you to the scammer. Home repair scams Scams that take advantage of homeowners in need of home repairs Frequently, con artists pose as contractors and fake a repair or charge for work that is not completed well. Some scammers use “home repairs” as an excuse to enter a home to steal from homeowners. Sometimes these bad actors work in tandem – one distracting the homeowner while the other commits robbery. Many scammers go door to door in search of their next potential victim. They may offer to give free quotes for work. For your safety, do not answer the door to strangers nor allow people you do not know to enter the home. Only use qualified professionals from established businesses in your neighborhood. Do your homework. Seek recommendations from those you trust. Read customer reviews demonstrating reliability and solid workmanship. Check for accreditation and high ratings from organizations like the BBB. Job offer-related scams These scams are related to employment opportunities Scammers create fake posts for full or part-time positions to gain access to social security numbers and other info. for the purpose of stealing personal identities. They may demand upfront payments for training and equipment or ask for bank account information to make (fake) automatic deposits. Job offer-related scams often contain requests for personal information or demand payments in advance for training, equipment and more. Job scams also tend to sound too good to be true, offering a tremendous salary or claims of easy money with promises to get rich quick. Red flags may also include poor grammar or wording in the job advertisement. Often, scammers guarantee opportunities to work from home with extreme flexibility to scam people looking for extra income. Be on guard when job searching. Law enforcement scams Impersonation scams in which scammers pretend to be from a law enforcement agency (like the police, FBI, or Border Control Services) This scam is generally carried out by phone, email, or text. Scammers allege themselves to be representatives of the law. They may even use the real names of officers, sheriffs, or agents in your area to appear legitimate. Scammers may state that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest related to fines, such as overdue parking tickets. Scammers use pressure and scare tactics to lure victims into paying. For example, they may threaten victims with jail time or deportation if they don’t pay. Be skeptical of calls, emails, and texts claiming to be from a government or law enforcement agency. In general, police officers to not email pictures of their badges or credentials. Nor do they demand any kind of payment. A law enforcement agency will not call you to collect money for outstanding parking tickets or other offenses, therefore, it’s safe to assume a call of this nature is a scam. If you think a real officer is trying to reach you, call them back using a non-emergency number for the police station. Do not let a scammer who contacts you transfer you to another number. Also, do not trust caller ID that can trick you into believing the caller’s false identity. Lottery/sweepstakes scams Scams that falsely claim you won a prize but make you give up something to get it Scammers will contact victims via email, text, or phone to report the winning of a prize. Sometimes, they ask the victim to verify their identity by providing information to them such as a Social Security number. Additionally, they may ask for your bank account numbers to “deposit the prize”. This is all part of the scam and there is no prize. This scam preys upon individuals who are down on their luck and hope to win money. If you do not recall signing up for a lottery or sweepstakes, it’s likely a scam. If you are asked for money upfront, it’s a scam. True lotteries or sweepstakes do not require money to claim the prize. Nor will you be asked to provide your social security number or bank account information. These are direct indications of scams. Always guard your personal information and don’t’ share it. Money transfer scams Impersonation scams related to “protecting” one’s money Scammers contact victims and state that there is suspicious activity on an account, such as Amazon. Victims are told by the scammer that someone is using their information to commit crimes and that all their money is at risk unless they make a money transfer to protect funds. This, of course, is an outright lie. Scammers will likely instruct victims to transfer money to a “secure” account, cash out savings, or buy cryptocurrency or gold bars – to ultimately steal the victim’s lifesavings. Senior citizens are often targeted for this scam. Scammers may call and falsely threaten that the court will seize money or retirement savings. Scammers may pretend to be from an agency like the FTC or offer to put victims in touch with someone who can help them transfer money to a secure account. The FTC will never help people move their money to protect it. This is all part of the scam. Do not engage with callers of this nature. Rather, ignore unexpected requests for money. Folks with money security concerns should contact a trusted accountant, financial advisor, or banking institution. Online shopping scams Scams involving fraudulent websites to lure people with incredible deals     This scam typically involves the purchase of goods that will never be delivered. A victim may be directed to a fake shopping network. Some illegitimate websites mimic well-known companies, stealing name recognition and logos to pull off the scam. Telltale signs of online shopping scams include unrealistic prices and sales, poor quality websites, missing “https” in the URL, and the encouragement of unusual payment methods, such as gift cards or wire transfers for goods. Always verify website legitimacy and security when online shopping. Package delivery scams Scams involving the delivery of packages to an address This scam can take on a lot of different methods. One of the most common involves the impersonation of legitimate shipping companies (UPS, Fed Ex, USPS and others). Victims are sent emails or texts about missed delivery attempts or issues with shipment. Scammers typically include links to fake websites that look like official shipping company pages. They may ask you to enter your credit card details or personal information to gain access to the package. Or they may ask you to click a link to unknowingly install malware on your computer. Be cautious about opening shipping emails. Carefully check the sender’s identity by comparing the email or text to the official company website. Phishing/smishing scams A general scam that uses emails or texts that appear to be from legitimate sources (Due to the high prevalence of phishing and smishing scams, we added it as its own category)   Frequently using false identities, such as a banking institution or hospital or health provider, scammers trick people into revealing personal information or clicking on malicious links. They may ask for account information or direct people to click on attachments to verify account information. Warning signs include urgent requests to verify account information, click on links, open attachments, or provide personal information. Typically, phishing emails are unsolicited. Some may contain misspellings, odd or general wording such as “Hello bank customer” or “Dear client” or request random information out of the blue. Never open unfamiliar emails. Always check the domain address for accuracy. When in question, call the company directly with a phone number you have for them (not one provided by a potential spammer) to check legitimacy. Ransomware scams These scams threaten to infect your computer with malware or lock files unless you pay money Scammers send email attachments or links to unsuspecting victims that typically contain threatening language and demands for immediate payment. To prevent ransomware scams, always keep your computer software updated with the latest technology, back up your files regularly, use reliable antivirus software and never click on suspicious links or share your passwords. Reverse mortgage scams Financial scams involving reverse mortgage This scam is aimed at older adults who own homes and fear outliving their assets. It involves smooth-talking criminals who manipulate vulnerable individuals into taking out reverse mortgages. Scammers use high-pressure sales tactics, misrepresent the terms of the loan, or even steal the senior’s home or equity. Be cautious of unsolicited contacts. Hang up on salespeople and do not engage in conversation. If you are considering a reverse mortgage, seek professional advice from your trusted CPA or financial advisor or from a legitimate consumer protection agency. Never sign anything you do not understand or without having appropriate professional counsel. Be wary of promises of “free money” or no-down-payment homeownership as these are red flags of scams. Romance scams Scams that prey upon people looking for love   These scams may involve “catfishing” a person who creates a false identity to lure victims Scammers feign romantic intentions towards a victim to gain their affections. Then, they will use that goodwill to get victims to send money or provide financial aid under false pretenses. They do not love the victim, rather they are committing fraud against the victim. Romance scams generally involve sweet talk and sudden declarations of love. Scammers prey upon people who are lonely or looking for love. Scammers also include false identifications (typically using photos of an extremely good-looking person), inability to meet in person, inconsistencies in what they say, made up elaborate stories (eg. sudden medical emergencies) and asking for money or gifts. If this rings true, stop contact with the scammer and report the scam. Tech Support scams Scams related to potential computer problems Scammers will pretend to be from a tech company. They will likely claim your computer has a virus or other issue and offer to fix it. Scammers will say they require remote access to your computer or payment for “services” to help you. Legitimate tech companies do not contact you out of the blue. These unsolicited calls about computer problems (or random pop-ups on computers) are likely scams. It is best to hang up and not engage. Also, do not click on links sent to you. Asking for remote access or making demands for payment are tell-tale signs of a scam. If you receive such a call, hang up and do not engage with the scammer. Toll booth scams Scams related to going through toll booths and paying tolls Scammers send text messages demanding payment for unpaid tolls and frequently provide a payment link. These scammers are looking to collect sensitive data. They may use fear or urgent tactics to scam victims. For example, they may say they will report the victim to collections or threaten arrest for nonpayment as part of the scam. Watch out for unsolicited texts or emails that mention tolls due or give a warning for nonpayment of tolls. This is not the way in which unpaid tolls are collected, so it is a scam. The message may contain unfamiliar URLs and pressure tactics, so beware. Frequently, the fake tolls are for places the driver has never been. To be safe, pay all tolls through your region’s legitimate electronic toll collection system using their automatic payment systems that you independently set up. Towing scams Scams related to automobile towing Tow truck scams happen when dishonest towing companies trick distressed vehicle owners into services with or without their permission. They may charge high fees to owners to retrieve their vehicle and even hold the car for ransom. Only use towing companies that are authorized by your insurance company. That way you know it’s legitimate. Do not use anyone who simply shows up at the scene of an accident or breakdown. Instead, keep your cool and call your insurance provider. Strictly use who they recommend, even it means waiting around a little bit. Uber/driver scams Road-hauling or passenger transportation related scams These scams target people who use ride-sharing transportation and can even target the drivers themselves. Scammers may send messages of unpaid charges to individuals and demand payment. Or scammers may offer ride-share drivers a fake bonus for excellent driving to gain access to driver accounts and banking info. Ride-share companies typically do not send out random texts or emails for customers to make payments. To avoid potential problems, pay drivers through the legitimate app you established on your cell phone and guard your personal information. Uber drivers should take note and guard their personal information as well. Utility payment scam Impersonation scams where scammers pretend to be utility workers Scammers impersonate utility providers and threaten to shut off service if payment is not received immediately through wire transfer or prepaid debit card. (Note that asking or demanding payments via unusual methods is a red flag of scams.) They may threaten homeowners with discontinuance of service and additional fines as part of the scam. Legitimate utility companies do not call out of the blue to ask for payment. Instead, they provide adequate written notice generally by mail and detailing your service and payments due. They also offer payment plans and special accommodation for the sick or elderly. Real utility workers do not threaten homeowners nor pressure them. Get a suspicious call of this nature? Hang up. Then call the utility company directly by looking up their phone number yourself. Weather related scams Scams centered upon severe weather-related events These scams can be carried out in numerous ways. Most times, unlicensed contractors show up and promise quick solutions like making repairs or removing debris. They may demand payment upfront or overcharge. Similarly, scammers may pose as relief agency representatives (impersonating FEMA for instance) and ask for personal or financial information. Don’t let your emotions take charge. Staying calm in emergency situations is key to clear thinking and wise decision making. Be wary of unsolicited contact where strangers ask to inspect your home, provide aid, and help with applications. Take the time to verify legitimacy through official channels. Stick to verified licensed workers, get contracts in writing, and only pay after work is completed and to your satisfaction. Zip code scam A phishing scam where scammers send text messages regarding issues with delivery zip codes Scammers send a text to targeted groups of people and claim to be from a delivery service. They will state that there is an issue delivering a package due to an invalid zip code. They ask people to “verify the zip code” by clicking a link. This link takes unsuspecting victims to fake websites controlled by scammers aimed at stealing personal or financial information. Scams of this nature are popular. For safety, never respond to unsolicited or unrecognizable texts or emails. Simply report and delete. Never click on links in texts and emails nor open attachments from senders you do not verify, know, and trust. Spelling errors, unusual formatting, generic greetings or requests for personal or financial information are red flags of scams.