Fraud & Scams
How to spot and stop the scams that target older adults — a plain-language guide to the most common cons, their warning signs, and what to do if you or someone you love has been targeted.
Charity Scams: How to Give Safely and Spot Fake Charities
Fake charities exploit generosity, especially after disasters and around veterans causes. Here is how to spot them and give safely.
Home Title and Deed Fraud: How Scammers Steal Your Home's Equity
Deed and title fraud lets criminals forge ownership of your home to borrow against it or sell it. Here is how it works and how to protect your property.
Social Security and COLA Scams: How to Protect Your Benefits
Scammers pose as Social Security to threaten your benefits or push fake COLA "activation." Here is how to spot it and protect your number.
AI Voice and Deepfake Scams: When a Familiar Voice Isn't Real
Scammers now clone voices and fake videos to impersonate family and officials. Here is how AI scams work and how to protect your family.
Bank Impersonation Scams: Fake Fraud-Department Calls and Texts
A call or text from your bank's "fraud department" asks you to verify a charge or move money to a safe account. It is a scam. Here is how it works and how to protect yourself.
Fake Debt Collection Scams: How to Spot a Phantom Debt
Scammers pose as debt collectors and threaten arrest over debts you do not owe. Here is how to recognize fake collectors and protect yourself.
Trust Mill and Estate Seminar Scams: Free Lunch, Costly Advice
"Free" estate-planning seminars can be a sales trap that pushes seniors into overpriced trusts and annuities. Here is how to spot a trust mill.
Investment Scams: How to Spot Fake Opportunities Aimed at Seniors
Investment scams cost older adults more than any other fraud. Here is how the pitches work, with real examples, and how to protect your savings.
Tech Support Scams: Fake Virus Warnings and "Microsoft" Calls
A pop-up or call says your computer has a virus and you must call support now. It is a scam. Here is how it works, with real examples, and what to do.
Grandparent Scam: How to Protect Your Parents (2026)
The grandparent scam uses a fake family emergency, now with AI voice cloning, to pressure older adults into sending money. Spot the red flags and protect your parents.
Home Repair and Contractor Scams: Door-to-Door and Storm-Chaser Tricks
Scam contractors demand money up front, do shoddy or no work, and target seniors after storms. Here is how to hire safely.
Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams: If You Have to Pay to Win, It's Fake
"You won!" but first you must pay a fee or taxes? That is a sweepstakes scam. Here is how it works and how to protect older relatives.
Veteran-Targeted Scams: Benefits, Buyouts, and Imposters
Scammers target veterans with fake benefits help, pension buyouts, and VA imposters. Here is how the schemes work and how to protect your benefits.
Reverse Mortgage Scams: How to Protect Your Home Equity
Scammers use reverse mortgages to drain older homeowners' equity through fake offers and pressure. Here is how the schemes work and how to stay safe.
Utility Scams: "Pay Now or We Shut Off Your Power" Is a Scam
Scammers pose as your electric, gas, or water company and threaten an immediate shutoff unless you pay. Here is how to spot and stop it.
Prescription and Medical Product Scams: Fake Pharmacies and Miracle Cures
Fake online pharmacies, miracle cures, and "free" medical devices target seniors. Here is how to spot them and buy medicine safely.
Jury Duty Scams: Fake Arrest Warrants and How to Respond
A caller says you missed jury duty and a warrant is out unless you pay now. It is a scam. Here is how it works and what to do.
Toll Text Scam: Is That Unpaid-Toll Text Real? (2026)
Got a text about an unpaid toll or a stuck package? It is probably a scam. Here is how to tell, with a real example, and what to do without clicking the link.
QR Code Scams (Quishing): How to Scan Safely
Scammers hide harmful links in QR codes on mail, parking meters, and fake packages. Here is how quishing works and how to stay safe.
Phishing Emails and Texts: How to Spot a Fake Message
Phishing messages impersonate companies and people to steal your logins and money. Here is how to spot them and what to do.
Romance Scams: How to Spot a Fake Online Relationship
Romance scammers build trust online, then ask for money or investment help. Here is how to recognize the signs and help a loved one.
Wire Transfer and Business Email Scams: Real Estate Closing Fraud
Scammers hijack emails to redirect wire transfers, especially during home sales. Here is how it works and how to protect your money.
Medicare Scams: How to Spot Fake Calls About Your Coverage
Scammers call about new Medicare cards, free braces, or plan changes to steal your Medicare number. Here is how to protect it.
Government Imposter Scams: Fake SSA, IRS & Medicare Calls
Scammers pose as Social Security, the IRS, or Medicare to scare you into paying or sharing personal info. Here is how to recognize and stop them.
Job and Money Mule Scams: Fake Work-From-Home Offers
Fake job offers use fake checks and "payment processing" tasks to steal money and turn you into a money mule. Here is how to spot them.
Sextortion and Blackmail Scams: What to Do and How to Stay Safe
Scammers threaten to share private images or information unless you pay. Here is how sextortion works, what to do, and where to get help.
How to Spot Any Scam: A Simple Guide for Older Adults and Families
Most scams share the same handful of warning signs. Learn the universal red flags and simple rules that protect older adults from fraud.
Fake Subscription Renewal Scams: Geek Squad, Norton, and McAfee Emails
A surprise invoice says your Geek Squad or Norton subscription auto-renewed for hundreds of dollars. It is a scam. Here is how it works and what to do.
Crypto Scams and Pig Butchering: How They Drain Savings
Pig butchering scams mix a friendly relationship with a fake crypto platform to drain savings. Here is how they work and how to protect your family.
IRS and Tax Scams: How to Spot a Fake Tax Threat
Scammers pose as the IRS to threaten arrest or demand payment, and run fake refund and preparer schemes. Here is how to recognize and stop them.
Identity Theft and Data Exposure: How to Protect Your Information
Identity theft starts with exposed personal data from breaches and broker sites. Here is how it happens and how to lock down your information.