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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Protect your family by making one rule clear: never move or send money because of an unexpected urgent call or message. Pause, verify the story through a phone number you already know is genuine, and talk to a trusted person before taking action. Report suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
What does “rising elder fraud” mean?
Reported fraud losses have increased overall, but that does not prove that every measure of elder fraud—or the share of older adults affected—has risen. The FTC says consumers reported $12.5 billion in fraud losses in 2024, in its March 2025 summary. In a June 2026 alert, it said people reported losing about $16 billion to scams in 2025; that aggregate figure is not specific to older adults, and the FTC cautions that reports likely capture only a fraction of actual losses. FTC, “Top scams of 2024”; FTC, “Help fight imposter scams this World Elder Abuse Awareness Day”.
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The age comparison needs care: FTC data for 2024 say younger people reported losing money more often, while older adults who did lose money lost more than any other age group. That describes the amount lost among people who reported a loss, not the likelihood that an older adult will be targeted or lose money. The FTC also found that reported losses over $100,000 to business and government imposters among adults 60 and older were nearly seven times higher in 2024 than in 2020—a comparison of reports, not a population-wide incidence rate. FTC, “Top scams of 2024”; FTC, “Business and government impersonators go after older adults’ life savings”.
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How can I protect my parents from scams?
Set up a household routine before a suspicious call arrives. It should make pausing and asking for help normal, rather than leaving an older adult to judge a high-pressure request alone.
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- Choose a trusted contact. Agree who the older adult can call before sending money in response to an unexpected urgent request.
- Make a callback plan for emergencies. A family phrase can help with communication, but it is not proof that a caller is genuine. Hang up and call the relative or another family contact using a saved number.
- Keep known contact details handy. Save bank, government, and family numbers somewhere separate from incoming calls and messages. Do not use a number or link supplied by someone whose story you are checking.
- Agree that there is no penalty for waiting. Ask everyone to pause, consult someone they trust, and report suspicious contact without fear of blame or embarrassment. Prompt disclosure may help limit further loss.
- Share free FTC materials. The FTC’s Pass It On campaign offers downloadable articles, bookmarks, and videos about family scams, imposters, tech-support scams, and other fraud topics.
What should I do if someone says my grandchild is in trouble?
A family-emergency scammer may pretend to be a grandchild, or pose as a lawyer or police officer calling about that relative. The caller may press for immediate payment and insist that the conversation stay secret. Panic and secrecy are reasons to slow down—not reasons to skip verification.
- Do not send money or share financial information during the unexpected call.
- Hang up, then call the relative or another family member using a number already saved or otherwise known to be genuine.
- Tell a trusted person what happened before acting on any follow-up demand.
The FTC’s suggested family reminder is: “I’ll never call and ask you to send money for an emergency. That’s a scam. Hang up!” FTC, “Have I told you lately that I love you — and how to avoid scams?”.
How do I know whether a bank or government caller is real?
An unexpected caller may claim to represent a bank, familiar business, or government agency and invent a serious account, identity, or computer problem. The proposed “solution” may be to move money or follow tightly controlled instructions. Do not transfer money, withdraw cash, buy cryptocurrency, or hand valuables to a courier because an unexpected caller says it will protect your funds or prove your innocence.
End the contact and check for a real issue independently: use the organization’s phone number, website, or email address that you already know is genuine. Do not use contact details in the message or provided by the caller to verify the caller’s own claim.
The FTC warns: “Government agencies will never threaten you, and they’ll never tell you to transfer your money to ‘protect it,’ deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs, or hand off stacks of cash or gold to a courier.” FTC, “Business and government impersonators go after older adults’ life savings”.
Which payment demands are warning signs?
Stop when an unexpected caller or message demands payment by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency. The FTC and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau warn about these methods because transfers can be difficult or impossible to reverse. No legitimate government agency or business should insist that you pay with gift cards. Verify any possibly real bill or account issue using contact details you obtained independently. FTC and CFPB, “Avoid a scammer’s money grab during Older Americans Month”.
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What if money or personal information was already sent?
- Report suspected fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Contact the relevant financial institution or payment provider promptly. Use a verified number, explain what happened, and ask whether the transfer can be stopped or the account secured. The provider can explain what options apply to that payment.
- Tell a trusted family member or caregiver. Getting help quickly can make it easier to address any ongoing requests or secure affected accounts.
The FTC’s Pass It On page also points older adults and caregivers to the Eldercare Locator for help finding services.
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