Common Scams Targeting Seniors Today

Here are a few other real-world scams that have been circulating recently:

1. The “Grandparent” Scam

This one plays on emotion. A scammer poses as a grandchild in distress—“Grandma, I was in an accident and need money fast!”—and pressures the victim to wire money immediately. Sometimes they even spoof the phone number or voice to sound convincing.

2. Medicare/Healthcare Scams

Scammers call or email pretending to be from Medicare, asking for your Medicare number or banking information to “issue a new card” or “verify your identity.” In reality, Medicare will never call you to request such information.

3. Tech Support Scams

You might receive a pop-up on your computer claiming there’s a virus, and it includes a number to call. Once you’re on the phone, the scammer asks for remote access to your device or payment for “repairs” that aren’t needed.

4. Fake Investment Opportunities

These often come via email, social media, or even people you know who have unknowingly forwarded the scam. They promise unusually high returns with low risk—an immediate red flag. Fraudsters may also impersonate real financial firms or advisors.

5. Facebook Marketplace Estate Sale Scam

This newer scam is particularly sneaky. You might see a Facebook post advertising an estate sale with beautiful antiques, tools, or furniture at great prices. The “seller” seems friendly and says they’ll hold items for you—if you send a small deposit via Venmo, Zelle, or another payment app. Once the money is sent, the seller disappears, and the listing is deleted. These scams often use stolen photos and fake local addresses to appear legitimate.

How to Stay Safe: Tips to Protect Yourself

Here are some key strategies you—and your loved ones—can use to stay ahead of these scams:

Be skeptical of urgency. Scammers often try to scare you into acting quickly. If someone says “you must act now,” pause. Verify the source.

Don’t click on suspicious links. Hover over the link before clicking. If it doesn’t clearly come from an official domain (e.g., .gov for Social Security), don’t engage.

Call the official number. If you get a call or message from someone claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security, or Medicare, hang up and call the official number listed on their website.

Never give out personal information. Especially Social Security numbers, Medicare IDs, or banking information—unless you initiated the contact and are sure of who you’re speaking with.

Talk to a trusted person. When in doubt, call your financial advisor (me!), a family member, or a friend before acting on any message or phone call that feels off.

Use call screening and email filters. Most modern smartphones and email services can flag potential scam messages—don’t ignore those warnings.

Report fraud. If you think you’ve encountered a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov or call the AARP Fraud Watch Helpline at 1-877-908-3360.

Final Thoughts

I’m proud of Dave for trusting his instincts—and for trusting me enough to ask. In a world where scams are getting more sophisticated every day, a healthy dose of skepticism can go a long way.

If you ever get a message, call, or email that raises even the slightest doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s always better to double-check than to become a cautionary tale.

Stay safe and stay informed.