The phone rings. A stranger says your Medicare card is compromised. Your heart races. Should you answer their questions? Take a breath first. Scammers count on fear to make you act fast. Once you know their tricks, you can spot them every time. This guide shows you the warning signs and tells you exactly what to do.
Why Seniors Are Targeted, and Why This Matters
Scams against older adults are a huge problem. In 2025, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 201,000 complaints from people over 60. Reported losses topped $7.7 billion. That is up 59% from the year before.
The average reported loss for an older victim was more than $38,000. In 2024, the FTC reported $12.5 billion stolen through scams nationwide. Adults in their 70s reported losing a median of $1,000. That is much more than adults in their 20s, who reported a median loss of about $417.
Surveys from AARP show 4 in 10 older Americans lose money to fraud. You are not alone, and you are not careless if this happens to you. Scammers are professionals. They practice these scripts every day. This article gives you the tools to fight back.
Phone and Text Message Scams
Scammers love the phone and your text messages. They can hide their real number and sound calm and official.
How the text scam works
You get a text that looks like it’s from your bank. It says a suspicious purchase was made on your card. It asks you to call a number right away to stop it. This is one of the fastest-growing scams today. The number in the text does not go to your real bank. It goes to a scammer.
Red flags to watch for
- Urgent language, such as “act now” or “your account will be locked”
- A request to call a number given in the text, instead of the number on your card
- Pressure to respond within minutes or hours
- Requests for your account number, PIN, or Social Security number
What to do instead
Do not call the number in the text. Do not click any link. Instead, call the number printed on the back of your credit card or bank statement. A real bank will never mind you double-checking.
Medicare and Government Impersonation Scams
Medicare scams often spike during Open Enrollment, which runs from October 15 to December 7. Scammers know seniors are thinking about health coverage during this time.
Know this fact
Medicare will never call you out of the blue to offer a new card. Medicare only issues a new card if you ask for one yourself. That is the single most important fact to remember.
Red flags for Medicare fraud calls
- Urgent claims that your benefits will be suspended
- Requests for your Medicare number or Social Security number over the phone
- Offers of free medical equipment, like braces or wheelchairs
- Promises of a refund if you just confirm your personal details
If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare, hang up. Call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself to check if anything is really wrong with your account.
Tech Support Scams
This scam usually starts with a scary pop-up on your computer or phone screen. It might look like it comes from Microsoft, Apple, or a security company.
Phrases that should worry you
Watch for phrases like “Your computer is infected,” “Your data is at risk,” or “Act immediately.” These words are designed to make you panic and stop thinking clearly.
What happens next
If you call the number on the pop-up, a scammer answers. They ask for permission to access your device remotely. Then they may ask for your passwords, banking details, or credit card number. They often tell you to keep this a secret from your family or bank while they “fix” the problem. That secrecy request is itself a huge red flag.
The truth about tech support
Legitimate tech companies never call, email, or text you first about a problem with your device. They never ask you to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. If you see a scary pop-up, do not call the number. Turn off your Wi-Fi or unplug your internet cable. Then ask a trusted family member or a tech company you already know for help.
Romance Scams
Online romance scams cost people age 60 and older nearly $400 million in 2024 alone. These scams can be some of the most painful, because they target your heart, not just your wallet.
How it usually starts
You meet someone on a dating site or social media. They are kind, attentive, and say all the right things. Within days or weeks, they say they love you. They call you their “soulmate,” even though you have never met in person.
Red flags in a romance scam
- They want to move the conversation off the dating site, to text or email, right away
- They promise to meet in person or video chat, but always have an excuse to cancel
- They ask detailed questions and get defensive or change their story when you ask questions back
- They eventually ask for money, often for a medical emergency, travel costs, or a business problem
Protect your heart and your wallet
Try a reverse image search of their profile photo. This can show if the picture was stolen from someone else online. Ask a librarian or a grandchild to help you do this if you are not sure how. Most importantly, never send money to anyone you have only talked to online or by phone. This is true no matter how real the relationship feels.
Other Scams to Know
Scammers use many other tricks. Here are a few more to keep on your radar.
- Grandparent scams: A caller pretends to be your grandchild in trouble. They ask for emergency money right away, usually by wire transfer or gift card.
- Sweepstakes and lottery scams: You are told you won a prize. You must pay a fee or taxes first to collect it. Real prizes never require upfront payment.
- Home repair scams: A stranger shows up offering cheap repairs, then does poor work or disappears after taking payment.
- Investment scams: These caused more than $3.5 billion in reported losses. Cryptocurrency schemes alone affected over 42,000 older victims, with $4.3 billion in losses.
This article shares general safety information, not personalized financial advice. Always talk with a trusted financial advisor or family member before making any big money decision.
What to Do If You Are Targeted
If you suspect a scam, follow these steps right away.
- Stop talking or texting with the person immediately.
- Do not send any money, gift cards, or personal information.
- Hang up the phone or close the pop-up window without clicking anything.
- Call your bank directly using the number on your card if money or account details were shared.
- Tell a trusted family member or friend what happened. You are not alone in this.
Acting fast can limit any damage. Do not feel embarrassed. Scammers are skilled at what they do, and millions of smart, careful people fall for these tricks every year.
Where to Report a Scam
Reporting a scam helps protect you and helps stop scammers from reaching others. Most scams go unreported, so your report truly matters.
- AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: Call 877-908-3360 for free help from trained fraud specialists.
- Federal Trade Commission: Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: Report online scams at IC3.gov.
- Your local police department: File a report, even for smaller losses. This helps police see the full picture.
You can also visit your local library. Many librarians are trained to help with online safety questions and can walk you through reporting steps in person.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare never calls you first to offer a new card or ask for your Medicare number.
- Legitimate tech companies never call, text, or email you first about a device problem.
- Never send money to someone you have only met online or talked to by phone.
- Urgent, scary language is a major warning sign of a scam.
- Hang up and call the organization back using a number you know is real, not one given by the caller.
- Report every scam to the FTC, the AARP helpline, or your local police, even small ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if a call claiming to be from Medicare is legitimate?
Medicare will never call you unsolicited about a new card or offer free medical equipment. If a caller asks for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or banking details, hang up. Call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself to check on your account.
What should I do if I see a pop-up saying my device is infected?
Do not call the number on the pop-up. Turn off your Wi-Fi or unplug your network cable right away. Then contact a trusted family member or a tech support company you have used before.
Someone I met online says they love me but always has reasons why they can’t meet. Should I send them money?
No. This is a classic warning sign of a romance scam. Real people can meet in person or on video chat. Never send money to someone you have only talked to online or by phone.
I think I was scammed. What should I do?
Contact your bank or credit card company right away to report any fraud. Then report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360. File a report with your local police too. If it happened online, also report it to the FBI at IC3.gov.
How can I protect myself going forward?
Never give a stranger remote access to your computer. Never pay anyone with a gift card or wire transfer. Hang up on unexpected calls and call the real organization back yourself. Take your time before sending money or personal details. Legitimate organizations always give you time to think things over.
You have every tool you need to stay one step ahead of scammers. Trust your instincts and slow down when something feels urgent. Lean on family, friends, or your local library when you are unsure. Staying informed is the best protection there is, and you are already doing the work by reading this.
