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Elder Fraud and Tech-Support Scams
The scams that target older adults, and how families can shut them down.
$7.7B losses reported by victims age 60+ in 2025 (FBI IC3, 2025).
By the numbers
- $7.7B losses reported by victims age 60+ in 2025 (FBI IC3, 2025)
- +59% year-over-year surge in elder-fraud losses (FBI IC3, 2025)
- $38,501 average loss per elderly victim (FBI IC3, 2025)
Tech-support and pop-up scams
- A pop-up or call about a virus. A warning that your computer is infected and you must call a number now.
- A request for remote access. Letting a 'technician' control your screen to 'fix' or 'refund' you.
- Payment in gift cards or wire. Any support that wants gift cards, crypto, or a bank transfer is a scam.
Impostor and grandparent scams
- A panicked call from 'family'. A grandchild in jail or hurt, needing money kept secret from the rest of the family.
- Government or prize impostors. Social Security, Medicare, or a lottery that needs a fee or your personal details.
Charity, debt and romance impostors
- Urgent charity or disaster appeals. A donation demand by phone or email right after a tragedy in the news.
- Debt or warrant threats. A caller demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest, a fine, or a cut-off.
- A new online companion who needs help. A friendship or romance that soon turns to requests for money.
Do and don't
Do
- Hang up and call the person, bank, or agency back on a number you look up yourself.
- Agree on a family code word for real emergencies.
- Talk to a trusted relative before sending money or sharing details.
- Set up a credit freeze and screen calls from unknown numbers.
Don't
- Do not pay with gift cards, wire, crypto, or cash couriers. Agencies never ask for these.
- Do not give remote computer access to anyone who calls you or pops up on screen.
- Do not share Social Security, Medicare, or bank details with an unexpected caller.
- Do not let anyone rush you or insist you keep it secret from family.
The one move
Hang up and call the person or agency back on a number you look up yourself, and never pay with gift cards, wire, or crypto. Agree on a family code word for real emergencies.
If it happens
- Stop paying and hang up. It is never too late to stop.
- Call your bank to halt or reverse recent transfers, and watch for follow-on scams.
- If you gave computer access, run a trusted scan and change your passwords.
- Report to reportfraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov. In the US, the DOJ Elder Fraud line is 833-372-8311.
Go deeper
For the bigger picture, read what is social engineering and how to spot a phishing email. See these warning signs in real cases in the weekly briefings.
Frequently asked questions
// guides/elder-fraud-red-flags --helpWhat are the red flags of elder fraud and tech-support scams?
Watch for a pop-up or call about a virus, a request for remote access, payment in gift cards or wire, a panicked call from 'family', plus any pressure to act fast, skip a check, or keep it secret.
What is the one move that stops it?
Hang up and call the person or agency back on a number you look up yourself, and never pay with gift cards, wire, or crypto. Agree on a family code word for real emergencies.
What should I do if it already happened?
Stop paying and hang up. It is never too late to stop. Call your bank to halt or reverse recent transfers, and watch for follow-on scams. If you gave computer access, run a trusted scan and change your passwords. Report to reportfraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov. In the US, the DOJ Elder Fraud line is 833-372-8311.