Senior scams are fraudulent schemes or deceptive practices that target older adults with the intention of stealing money or personal information. These scams can come in many forms, including phone calls, emails, and even in-person solicitations. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to these scams due to their trusting nature, cognitive decline, and sometimes social isolation.

There are many types of senior scams, but some common ones include: Medicare/health insurance fraud, investment scams, lottery/sweepstakes scams, grandparent scams, and home improvement scams. These scams often involve promises of unrealistic returns, threats of legal action, or urgent requests for money.

To protect yourself from senior scams, you should be cautious and skeptical of unsolicited offers or requests for money or personal information. You should never give out personal information, such as your Social Security number, Medicare number, or bank account information, to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly. It’s also important to stay informed about the latest scams and to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.

If you think you’ve been scammed, you should immediately stop any communication with the scammer and contact your bank or financial institution to report any unauthorized transactions. You should also report the scam to the appropriate authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the local police department. If you’ve given out personal information, you should monitor your accounts and credit report closely for any signs of identity theft.

There are many resources available to help prevent senior scams, including the FTC’s Consumer Information website, the National Council on Aging’s Fraud Prevention website, and AARP’s Fraud Watch Network. These resources provide information about the latest scams, tips for avoiding scams, and tools for reporting scams. You can also contact your state’s Attorney General’s office for information about local scams and resources.