Scams targeting older Americans are becoming more common — and show no signs of stopping.
These scams might be in the form of a call or an email about a too-good-to-be true business deal, a grandchild in danger or an alluring romantic prospect.
According to 2021 data from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center,
"Scammers are actively targeting elderly Americans because they believe them to be more trusting, less confrontational and thus, more susceptible to fraud," says Kenneth Conner, vice president, scam policy and communications, Citi. “These cyber criminals use psychology and other tactics to get them to send funds."
If you have older loved ones that you believe to be vulnerable, the good news is there are ways you can help them protect their accounts and personal information from fraudsters. It starts with awareness.
Below are four scams commonly aimed at older Americans, and how to respond when that suspicious call, text or email arrives.