The 10 Most Common Online Scams Targeting Seniors

Online fraud has become one of the leading financial threats facing older Americans. According to the FBI's 2025 Elder Fraud Report, adults over 60 filed more than 147,000 fraud complaints last year, with total losses exceeding $3.4 billion. That's an average loss of over $33,000 per victim — enough to devastate a retirement account.

What's striking about elder fraud is how concentrated it is. A handful of scam types account for the overwhelming majority of losses. Understanding these categories — and knowing the specific warning signs of each — is the most effective protection available.

1. Tech Support Scams

Tech support scams are the most reported form of elder fraud, accounting for over $588 million in losses in 2024. They typically begin with a frightening browser popup claiming your computer is infected, or an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft or Apple.

Key warning sign: Any popup with a phone number telling you to call "support" immediately. Real tech companies don't work this way.

For a complete breakdown, see our guide on how to recognize a Microsoft tech support scam.

2. Government Impersonation Scams

Scammers posing as IRS agents, Social Security Administration officials, or Medicare representatives contact seniors with alarming messages: your Social Security number has been "suspended," you owe back taxes, or your Medicare benefits are being cancelled. They demand immediate payment or personal information to "fix" the problem.

Key warning sign: Government agencies initiate contact by mail, not by phone or email. Any urgent call demanding payment or information is a scam.

3. Romance Scams

Romance scams are among the most psychologically devastating. A scammer creates a fake profile on a dating site or social media, develops a relationship over weeks or months, then introduces a financial crisis requiring money. In 2024, seniors reported losing over $475 million to romance scams.

Key warning sign: The person has never met in person despite months of communication and always has an excuse — they're working overseas, in the military, or dealing with an emergency.

4. Lottery and Prize Scams

You've won a prize — a lottery, sweepstakes, or inheritance — but must pay fees or taxes upfront to claim it. The prize never arrives, and the fees keep escalating. Seniors lose an average of $14,000 to prize scams before realizing they've been victimized.

Key warning sign: You cannot win a contest you didn't enter. Any "prize" that requires upfront payment is a scam.

5. Grandparent Scams

A panicked voice calls claiming to be a grandchild in crisis — in jail, in a hospital, or in trouble abroad — and begs for money immediately. A "lawyer" or "police officer" may get on the line to add legitimacy. The caller specifically asks the grandparent not to tell anyone.

Key warning sign: The caller asks for secrecy and insists on gift card or wire transfer payment. Always call the grandchild directly on their known number before sending any money.

Read the full breakdown in our article on the grandparent scam.

6. Medicare and Health Insurance Fraud

Scammers call seniors offering "free" medical equipment, supplies, or screenings in exchange for Medicare information. They use that information to bill Medicare fraudulently, and the senior may receive bills for services never rendered — or have their Medicare coverage compromised.

Key warning sign: Any offer of free medical items in exchange for your Medicare number. Treat your Medicare number like a credit card number.

7. Investment Fraud

Retirees with savings make attractive targets for investment fraud. Schemes include fake cryptocurrency platforms, Ponzi schemes marketed as "guaranteed returns," and fake real estate investments. The FTC reports that investment fraud cost seniors over $1.8 billion in 2024.

Key warning sign: Guaranteed returns, pressure to act quickly, and reluctance to provide written documentation are the classic red flags of investment fraud.

8. Phishing Emails and Fake Websites

Emails impersonating Amazon, banks, PayPal, or the IRS direct seniors to convincing fake websites that harvest login credentials or payment information. Modern phishing emails are often indistinguishable from legitimate messages without careful inspection.

Key warning sign: Check the sender's actual email address (not just the display name). Hover over links before clicking. When in doubt, go directly to the website rather than clicking any link.

9. Online Shopping Fraud

Fake online stores offer products at significant discounts, collect payment, and either deliver counterfeit goods or nothing at all. Social media advertising has made it easy for fraudulent stores to reach seniors. Losses to online shopping fraud exceeded $400 million in 2024.

Key warning sign: Prices dramatically below market rate, no physical address or phone number listed, and payment options limited to wire transfer or cryptocurrency.

10. Charity Scams

After disasters, tragedies, and during holiday seasons, fraudulent charities solicit donations from compassionate seniors. The money goes directly to the scammer rather than any charitable cause. These scams spike dramatically after major disasters.

Key warning sign: Pressure to donate immediately, requests for cash or gift cards, and inability to provide a charity registration number. Always verify charities at Charity Navigator or GiveWell before donating.

"The common thread across all elder fraud is urgency. Scammers create time pressure to prevent their victims from pausing, thinking, or consulting a trusted person." — FBI Elder Justice Unit

The One Rule That Covers Everything

Despite the variety of scam types, they all share a common playbook: create urgency, isolate the victim from trusted advisors, and demand irreversible payment. The single most powerful protective habit is this: before sending any money or sharing any personal information, stop and call a trusted family member.

For practical steps to build protection around a senior family member, read our guide on how adult children can protect their parents online.