Scams targeting older adults are costly, widespread, and on the rise. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in 2021 there were 92,371 older victims of fraud resulting in $1.7 billion in losses. That’s a 74% increase in losses compared to 2020.
Why are older adults a common target for fraudsters? They often have nest eggs, own homes, have excellent credit, and are trusting and polite by nature, as the FBI points out. And, with more older adults alone and doing business online, the risk of falling victim to fraud is growing. It’s important to be aware of senior scams so that you can protect yourself or your loved ones from becoming victims.
To avoid scams, discover the common ways seniors are targeted in these resources:
- The Top 5 Financial Scams Targeting Older Adults (National Council on Aging)
- Top Scams Targeting Older Adults in 2021 (AARP)
- Senior Scams (Office of the Attorney General)
- Top 10 Scams Targeting Seniors (Experian)
- Defrauding The Elderly: 9 Scams Targeting Seniors (Senior Safety Advice)
Sadly, these are just some of the scams targeting older adults. The best way to protect yourself is to assume that any notification you receive from an unknown source is a scam. Then investigate it and don’t take action until you have been assured by reliable sources that whatever they are asking of you, is true.
Here are eight tips from the National Council on Aging for how seniors can avoid scams:
- Never give your credit card, banking, Social Security, Medicare, or other personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call
- Be aware that you are at risk from strangers—and from those closest to you
- Don’t isolate yourself—stay involved!
- Tell solicitors: “I never buy from (or give to) anyone who calls or visits me unannounced. Send me something in writing.”
- Shred all receipts with your credit card number
- Sign up for the “Do Not Call” list and take yourself off multiple mailing lists
- Use direct deposit for benefit checks to prevent checks from being stolen from the mailbox
- Be skeptical of all unsolicited offers and thoroughly do your research
If you think you have been the victim of a scam call the Financial Fraud/Consumer Protection Division of the Oregon Attorney General at 877-877-9392 or email at help@oregonconsumer.gov. You can also call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360
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I just received a call from a man asking me to get him out of jail by contacting his attorney Mr. david rhomo 210-201-3917 and gave me this case A742290921 to give to him. He began the call by saying “Hi Grandma” when I answered. Please find out who these scammers are and stop them from hurting other senior citizens.
I received the exact phone call supposedly from my grandson telling me that he had been in a car accident and rear-ended a car that had a 6month pregnant woman in it and she was still in the hospital. The caller was crying and told me to call his attorney Mr. David Rhomo right away and pay this guy to get my grandson out of jail. The guy told me to please please don’t tell anyone in the family what happened. I asked him why he didn’t call his dad and he said they had a falling out and they’re not speaking. I call Mr. Rhomo and he’s trying to tell me that he is a victim of identity theft yet he said that this guy was his client and he’s in jail for this accident and he is is attorney. I gave him hell and told him I’m calling the sheriff which I did. I have caller id and I called the number that was “my grandson” and I heard nothing but foreign languages on it. PLEASE BEWARE OF THIS SCAM! The caller starts out saying: Hi Grandma
Richard Abel (claiming he just called on behalf of David Rhomo from court to say he had a young man in custody for reckless endangerment being accused of hitting a pregnant lady in a car accident and is asking me to post his bail by paying $8,000 for a cash bond. They want me to transfer the money to them by way of money order.
Aug 1, 2023
We got a call supposedly from our grandson saying he was in an accident and in custody and we would get a call from his bondsman to set up bail so he did not have to go to county jail. We got the call and were referred to an attorney David Rhomo, and he indicated we needed to get the bail money, $15,000 in cash as quickly and there was a NDA (non disclosure agreement) so we should not tell tje bank why were withdrawing the money. And he indicated oncecwe got the money he would have a courier pick it up at our house to deliver to the court.
We went to the bank, but they questioned the withdrawl because of recent scams. The bank manager took us in his office and called the Raleigh PD to see if ther was any record of our grandson’s arrest, there was none and the police indicated the case number given to us was not a Raleigh case number. We did locate information on David Rhomo the public defender. He is real, but he is with a California public defender office. I eventually got to this web site and read the previous accounts,so we confirmed this was a scam. We contacted our grandson at his work and he was fine. Many thanks to the B of A manager and the teller we first approached. Beware of this scam, it can appear real at the time.
I had been scammed and I immediately notified the police, but regrettably, there was no quick action that took place. Despite their reassurances and claims of taking action, their promises proved empty. Online scams plan and encountered difficulties withdrawing my profits. I was fortunate to read a recommendation about Federal Trade commission FTC in USA they are genius and they have vast knowledge of the internet and how to track these funds gmail. COM as the best and genuine experts, they would help anyone with lost funds in getting their funds back. I immediately reached out to him and explained my problem. They handled my case in a very professional manner and just after 2 days he was able to recover 90% of my funds back to me. I will always be grateful for his great service.
The FRAUD/SCAM perpetrators are getting very slick. My concern is the various federal agencies cannot keep up with the Criminals since I have contacted several federal agencies. See below report about the PNC Bank SCAM/FRAUD that I am still fighting with PNC Bank. It is a real shame dealing with PNC Bank Customer Service. I am warning folks about PNC Bank and their lack of concern for their bank customers. Note: I have even involved the White House, Congress and the North Carolina Congress members with the PNC Bank SCAM/FRAUD.
I recently contacted PNC Bank, President/CEO Bill Demchak Office concerning an online PNC Bank SCAM/FRAUD in the amount of $700,000. PNC Bank response was: 1.) I was responsible for the SCAM/FRAUD 2.) PNC Bank refused to apologize for the SCAM/FRAUD 3.) PNC Bank refused to acknowledge that someone at the bank knew intimately about my checking and savings accounts and stole my money 4.) PNC Bank refused to acknowledge that an Audit of irregular activity occurred 5.) PNC did not conduct Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) of my accounts 6.) PNC approved the International Wires sent to Chinese Criminals and Gangs, possible Terrorism (This is a Federal Offense). 7.) PNC Bank closed both my checking and savings accounts due to Suspicious Activity.
This is also Financial Elder Abuse since I am over 65 yrs. old. (This is a Federal Offense). PNC Bank is denying that this is Elder Abuse. What really hurts is I was a Valued and Model Customer for almost 10 yrs.at PNC Bank and now the bank is treating me like a Criminal. My Credit Score is ruined and I am a FRAUD victim by SSA, IRS, Medicare, Social Security and the Credit Reporting Agencies.
Financial institutions that suspect an older adult (65 and older) is the victim of financial fraud must make a report to local law enforcement. In addition, state law now offers extra protections to combat financial exploitation of adults with disabilities and adults 65 and older. Under the law, customers of financial institutions (i.e., banks) can submit a list of persons to be contacted if the institution suspects that the customer is a victim or target of financial exploitation. The institution is also required to report the suspected exploitation to local law enforcement. If the suspected victim is an adult with a disability, the financial institution is required to report to the contact list, local law enforcement, and the county Department of Social Services.
I can tell you that recovery companies will take your money again, loosing money online is very common in our days, I was a victim of investment scam. I contacted several recovery companies online..it was all tragic story. I didn’t tell my husband I invested online but at that point I couldn’t hold it. I told my husband and believe you me he was the solution to my problem..His friend had same problem and have someone who helped him figure it out..At first I thought it was all going to be crap as always, but to my greatest surprise it was a job well done. I wouldn’t have believed if someone told me because of my experience with different recovery companies with series of unfulfilled promises. Now I’m convinced from experience. I recommend: robotsky-ftc@ gmx.us ,to anyone in need of similar help.
Thanks for the recommendation sarah, There services are top notch and i’m very happy they were able to recover my funds from this imposters
I am inquiring about my social security, I’m on Medicare part A but not B. I have Blue Cross and Blue Shield because I’m still working. Are seniors getting a COLA or a raise in benefits this up coming year?
Hi Margaret, this article from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has information about premium, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for Medicare Parts A & B as well as income-related monthly adjustment amounts for Medicare Part D. https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2024-medicare-parts-b-premiums-and-deductibles?apcid=0063b4a3acf9c7406348c100
If you have other questions related to Medicare, you can set up an appointment with one of our Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) counselors by calling (541) 678-5483.
Stay away from Walgreens! The prescription card savings plan is a SCAM!! They have stolen 70 dollars from me and refuses to give me my money back
OK THIS GUY I MEET ON A DATING SITE CALLED TAGGED HE CLAIMS TO BE A CAPTAIN IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY AND GOES BY THE NAME ROBERTO GONZALEZ. HE SAYS HE IS IN THE COUNTRY JORDAN; WE USE TO TALK RIGHT FROM THE GET-GO, FIRST WAS TEXTING THEN WE STARTED EMAILING, BUT NOW I MIGHT GET AN EMAIL FROM HIM LIKE EVERY 5-10 DAYS OR SO. BUT NOW HIS EMAILS ARE GETTING LONGER AND LONGER WITH NONE, HIS LAST EMAIL SAID THAT THE IRAINIANS HAD ATTACKED HIS CAMP, NOW THAT MAY BE TRUE BUT DEEP DOWN IN MY HEART, I DON’T BELIEVE THAT, SO I HAVE HIS PICTURES, EMAIL ADDRESS AND CELL NUMBER BUT HIS CELL DOESN’T WORK WHEN I CALL IT A RECORDING COMES ON AND SAYS THIS NUMBER IS UNAVAILABLE RIGHT NOW SO IT HANGS UP ON YOU BUT THE NUMBER IS AN OREGON NUMBER???
Hi Peggy, there are many scammers posing as US military personnel. If your intuition is telling you not to believe him, it is probably a scam, especially if he has ever asked you for money or personal identifying information such as your social security card, Medicare card, or bank account information.