As technology advances, so do the tactics of scammers. Unfortunately, seniors are often prime targets for these malicious schemes. Awareness is the first step in protecting yourself and your loved ones from becoming victims. Here are some of the top scams that target seniors and tips on how to avoid them.

1. Medicare and Health Insurance Scams

How It Works

Scammers pose as Medicare representatives to obtain personal information. They may claim you need a new Medicare card or offer fake services for reimbursement.

💡Tips

• Never share your Medicare number over the phone unless you initiated the call.
• Verify the caller's identity by contacting Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE.
• Review your Medicare statements for any suspicious charges.

2. IRS Impersonation Scams

How It Works

Scammers call pretending to be IRS agents, claiming you owe taxes and threatening legal action if you don’t pay immediately.

💡Tips

• Remember, the IRS will never call to demand immediate payment.
• Hang up immediately if you receive such a call.
• Report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484.

3. Telemarketing and Phone Scams

How It Works

Scammers use telemarketing calls to sell fake products, request donations for fake charities, or offer fraudulent investments.

💡Tips

• Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry at 1-888-382-1222 to reduce telemarketing calls.
• Be wary of unsolicited calls and never provide personal information over the phone.
• Research charities and investments before making any commitments.

4. Email and Phishing Scams

How It Works

Scammers send emails posing as legitimate companies or individuals, asking you to click on a link or provide personal information.

💡Tips

• Never click on links or open attachments from unknown senders.
• Verify the sender’s email address and contact the company directly if unsure.
• Use email filters to reduce spam and phishing attempts.

5. Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams

How It Works

You receive a call or email claiming you’ve won a lottery or sweepstakes, but you need to pay fees or taxes upfront to collect your winnings.

💡Tips

• Remember, legitimate lotteries and sweepstakes don’t require you to pay fees to claim your prize.
• Ignore claims of winnings if you didn’t enter a contest.
• Report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

6. Grandparent Scams

How It Works

Scammers pose as your grandchild or another relative in distress, claiming they need money for an emergency.

💡Tips

• Verify the caller’s identity by asking personal questions only your grandchild would know.
• Call your grandchild or another family member to confirm the story.
• Never send money or gift cards based on a phone call or email.

7. Investment Scams

How It Works

Scammers offer too-good-to-be-true investment opportunities, promising high returns with little risk.

💡Tips

• Be skeptical of high-return, low-risk investments.
• Research the investment thoroughly and consult with a financial advisor.
• Report suspicious investment offers to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

8. Tech Support Scams

How It Works

You receive a call or pop-up message claiming your computer has a virus, and the caller offers to fix it for a fee.

💡Tips

• Never give remote access to your computer to unsolicited callers.
• Contact your computer’s manufacturer or a trusted tech support provider directly.
• Use antivirus software and keep it up to date.

General Tips to Protect Yourself From Scams and Fraud

• Be Skeptical: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Protect Personal Information: Never share personal or financial information over the phone or online unless you are certain of the recipient’s identity.
• Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank statements, credit card bills, and Medicare statements for unusual activity.
• Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date on the latest scams by visiting websites like the FTCand AARP Fraud Watch Network.
• Report Scams: If you believe you’ve been targeted by a scam, report it to the appropriate authorities immediately.

Relevant Statistics on Scams Against Elders

• Elder Fraud Reports: In 2023, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received 101,068 complaints from victims over the age of 60, resulting in losses of over $3.4 billion. Read more from the FBI about scams targeting the elderly here.
• Medicare Fraud: Approximately $60 billion is lost annually due to Medicare fraud, affecting millions of seniors nationwide, per Senior Medicare Patrol.
• Phone Scams: According to the Truecaller Insights Report, 56 million Americans reported losing money to phone scams in 2020, with older adults being particularly vulnerable.

By staying vigilant and informed, seniors can protect themselves from these common scams and ensure their financial and personal safety.

At Flagship Health, we are committed to providing the resources and support needed to help our members stay safe and secure. If you have any concerns or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us by visiting: https://flagshiphealth.org/contact.