Senior Scams: What to Watch Out for in 2026

Scams targeting seniors are becoming more sophisticated. With the rise of AI and other technologies, it’s harder to tell what is legitimate and what is dangerous.

What might seem like a harmless email from a friend, a video call from a loved one, or a text from your bank could actually be a scammer trying to steal your information and money.  

‍Why Seniors Need to Be Extra Cautious

The FBI says seniors are the perfect target for scammers. They typically have more money (retirement savings, a paid-for home), they are less likely to report fraud, and memory loss is a trait scammers love to exploit.  

Those who grew up between 1930 and 1950 are generally known to be more polite and trusting—again, ideal for a scammer.

Additionally, it is harder to spot scams like phishing emails, fake websites, or fraudulent text messages if you did not grow up with these technologies.

Staying informed is your best line of defense.

Imposter Scams

Imposter scams have reached a new level of sophistication with the use of AI deepfake technology—a tool that uses artificial intelligence to create fake videos or audio recordings that look and sound like real people.

Scammers can now mimic voices, faces, and even mannerisms with alarming accuracy, making it harder to tell if something is real or fake.

They can send you a video or call you on the phone pretending to be a family member, employer, government worker, or celebrity to trick you into giving them personal information or sending money.

Here are some things that may help you spot a deepfake video/audio:

• Weird Movements: If their face or lips don’t look quite right, it might be fake.
• Lighting Doesn't Match: If the lighting seems off, it’s a red flag.
• Strange Features: Look out for weird skin or eyes that don’t move normally.
• Odd Backgrounds: If the background looks blurry or strange, something’s not right.
• Funny Voices: If the voice sounds robotic or weird, it could be fake.

Employment Scams

Employment scams are becoming more common, and scammers might take advantage of seniors who are looking to supplement their retirement income.

Fake job listings, on platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed, lead you through an application process that eventually steals your personal information, like your Social Security number.

Remember, no legitimate employer will ask you to pay to work for them—and they will never need your social security number to apply for a job.

Cryptocurrency Scams

Cryptocurrency is a digital form of money, like Bitcoin, that is untraceable and irreversible once sent. The number of crypto scams targeting seniors has skyrocketed in recent years.

One common scam involves Bitcoin ATMs, where scammers send QR codes to the victim and trick them into depositing cash, which is then converted into crypto and stolen.

They may also try to trick you into investing in fake crypto schemes or sending crypto directly to the scammers.

Always be cautious when dealing with crypto-related offers.

Gold Bar Scams

Gold bar scams have also become a significant issue across the country. In recent years, some seniors lost their life savings due to this scam.

The scammers claimed hackers were after the victim’s money and convinced them to withdraw their savings to buy gold bars to give to a "courier" for safekeeping.

Them, they picked the gold up at the victim’s front door and disappeared.

No legitimate organization will ever ask you to buy gold or move your money for "safety." If anyone suggests this, it is a major red flag.

‍Social Security Scams

Social Security scams have been a longstanding issue, and now they are more popular than ever.

Scammers tamper with Caller ID to look like the call is coming from the Social Security Administration (SSA) before they call you.

They will try to trick you into giving your social security number or even some form of payment. Scammers may threaten you by saying your SSN will be suspended or there is a problem with your benefits.

They may even demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or other legal action. While it may scare you in the moment, remember that this type of phone call would never happen with the real Social Security Administration.

SSA rarely makes phone calls unless you have requested it first. If you get a call from SSA that seems threatening or asks for personal information, hang up. After you hang up, call the real SSA at1-800-772-1213 to verify if the call you just received was real or a scam.

If you truly owe money to the Social Security Administration, you will get a letter in the mail with payment options and appeal rights. The SSA will never do any of the following:

• Threaten you with arrest or legal action because you don’t agree to pay money immediately.
• Suspend your Social Security number.
• Promise a benefit increase in exchange for money.
• Ask you to send gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, internet currency, cryptocurrency, or cash through the U.S. mail.

If you suspect a scam, report it to the Office of the Inspector General.

Medicare Scams

Medicare scams happen year-round, but the highest frequency of scamming happens during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). This window of time from October 15-December 7 is when you can make changes to your Medicare health and drug plans.

Scammers love to play into the urgency of this timeframe by threatening to take your benefits, rushing you into a decision, or suggesting their plan is preferred by Medicare.

It's not always traditional scammers pulling off these schemes either – some insurance agents ignore compliance guidelines, mistreat, and misinform senior consumers.

Here are a few things to look out for when talking about Medicare enrollments:

• Insurance agents are now required to record all calls, so if the call isn't being recorded, it is not compliant.
• Insurance agents must also read off this disclaimer within the first 60 seconds of your call: "We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent [insert number of organizations]organizations which offer [insert number of plans] products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options."
• Insurance agents are not allowed to say they are Medicare or that they work with Medicare in any official way.
• No plans are endorsed by or preferred by Medicare.
• You are under no obligation or pressure to enroll in a plan that day – you have from October 15 to December 7 to make changes.

Our team of licensed sales agents here at Sams/Hockaday adhere to all compliance guidelines and will never pressure or rush you into an enrollment decision.

Medicare Prescription Drug Cap Scams

With the Medicare prescription drug cap of $2,100 per year in 2026, seniors may see some relief in their medication costs.

But scammers are likely to try taking advantage of this change (as they often do with any changes in Medicare).

They may offer to help with your Medicare Part D benefits, asking for personal info or tell you that in order to qualify for the new cap you need to pay an upfront or "processing" fee.

Remember, you don’t need to pay any fees or get extra cards to qualify for the cap. Always double-check with official Medicare resources or your Sams/Hockaday agent before acting.

Check Cooking Scams

Many Seniors still use checks to pay their bills. The FBI has recently warned of a new way scammers are using checks to commit fraud.  

All they have to do is get their hands on a check you wrote, whether they steal it from the trash or your outgoing mail, and take a picture of it.  

Then, they run it through digital software that erases the name and amount of money, while keeping the signature. They can then deposit any amount they want into different bank accounts.  

To keep your money safe, consider paying with an alternative form of payment, like a credit card. If that’s not an option, drop checks off directly at the post office rather than sticking them in your mailbox.  

Reverse Mortgage Scams

Seniors who have already paid off their home, or have a large amount of equity built up in it, may look into taking out a reverse mortgage to tap into some of that equity in later years.

Scammers may claim to help you access your home’s equity, but once they get your information, they steal your money or worse – steal the deed to your house.  

Don't fall for any high-pressure tactics pushing you into taking out a reverse mortgage for any reason. If you are considering one, make sure you are working with a reputable lender.

‍Tech Support Scams

Tech support scammers often target seniors by calling and claiming there is a problem with their computer. They pose as a computer tech from a well-known company or computer brand.

All they need is remote access to your computer. Then, they run a fake test and ask you to pay them to fix the “problem.”

Anytime a stranger calls you and ends up demanding payment, assume it’s a scam.

To get a better understanding of how these tech support scams progress, check out this 1-minute video recording from the FTC of an undercover investigation.

‍Fraudulent Anti-Aging Cosmetics and Products

Counterfeit cosmetics have been a severe problem for several years.

Industry and government studies have found carcinogens, high aluminum levels, and dangerous levels of bacteria from sources like urine in counterfeit anti-aging products. These fake cosmetics can cause rashes, psoriasis, infections, and acne.

The FBI has a few tips for spotting fake anti-aging products:

• Keywords like “secret formulas” and “breakthrough” are favorites for scammers
• Research a product thoroughly before buying
• Think twice if a product claims to cure several illnesses –especially if they are unrelated
• If you get Botox, get it from a reputable source as there have been many fake Botox schemes, which is very dangerous
• Don’t put too much weight on testimonials and celebrity endorsements – they are often misleading
• Be cautious of any product that says it has no side effects

Buy from reputable companies, like Sephora or Ulta, and never buy used cosmetics from sites like eBay. Finally, if a product seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Fake Prescriptions Scam

Counterfeit prescription drugs are illegal and can cause your health conditions to get worse. Fake prescriptions might be contaminated, contain the wrong ingredients, or have no active ingredient. They could also have the right ingredients but with the wrong dosage.

To avoid fake prescription drugs, closely inspect your prescription packaging every time you fill it. If there are any changes, alert your physician or pharmacist.

If your medication causes any unusual side effects or your health condition does not get better, talk to your physician or pharmacist. Never purchase drugs online from distributors who do not require a prescription.

If you are buying prescriptions online, look for a seal of approval called the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site (VIPPS), provided by the Association of Boards of Pharmacy in the United States.

Gift Card Scams

Scammers have targeted seniors in the past, telling them to purchase gift cards from specific stores, claiming they were secret shoppers or that they could avoid arrest or other consequences. They used this tactic to manipulate victims into sending them money in the form of gift cards.

Recently, a new twist on this scam popped up, where criminals drained gift cards before they were even sold!

They tampered with the cards, then placed them back on the shelves, hoping someone would buy them without noticing. When unsuspecting customers activated the cards, the scammers accessed the funds.

Always check gift cards for signs of tampering before buying them. If anyone asks to be paid with a gift card, it could be a scam.

Elder Fraud

There are hundreds of scams targeted directly at the senior population. These are categorized as elder fraud. Some of the most common schemes include:

• Grandparent Scam: Criminals pose as a child or grandchild in immediate financial need.
• Romance Scam: Criminals pose as a romantic interest on a dating site or social media platform. ‍
• Tech Support Scam: Criminals pose as tech support to help fix non-existent computer issues. ‍
• Sweepstakes Scam: Criminals claim you have won a sweepstake or lottery, which you can collect for a fee.
• Charity Scam: Criminals try to get you to donate to a fake charity.

Perhaps one of the worst scams is the Caregiver Scam. Relatives or acquaintances of elderly victims take advantage of them to get their money. Scammers aren’t always strangers.

What You Can Do to Stay Safe

The U.S. Department of Justice is taking significant steps to protect seniors from fraud.

In their latest Annual Report, they shared that between June 2023 and July 2024, they pursued over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 people accused of stealing nearly $700 million from over 225,000 older victims.

As part of those efforts, they are also hosting many events and trainings for local law enforcement to share tools, tips, and best practices for tackling elder abuse, neglect, and financial scams.

Here are some things you can do to help protect yourself against fraud:

• ‍Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on common scams, especially those targeting seniors.‍
• Double-Check Who You're Dealing With: Before sharing personal information or making a payment, make sure the person or website is legit. Scammers love creating fake websites that look real—check the URL closely for sneaky differences. Your browser and security software can also flag suspicious sites, so take advantage of those features.‍
• Use Secure Forms of Payment When Buying Online: When shopping online, stick to secure payment methods. Credit cards are safer than debit cards, and services like PayPal often include extra fraud protection.‍
• Be Skeptical of Urgency: Scammers often pressure victims to act quickly. Take a moment to pause and think.‍
• Ask for Help: Talk to a trusted family member, friend, or professional before acting if you’re not sure if something’s legitimate. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!‍
• Report Suspicious Activities: If you think you’ve come across a scam, don’t hesitate to report it to your local authorities or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). If it happens online, you could also file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center—it’s quick and can help protect others!

Conclusion

Always be cautious of phone calls, texts, emails, or mailings you aren not expecting. Be aware that scammers will try to pressure you to act quickly by creating a sense of urgency. Finally, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Educate yourself and your loved ones of all the traps scammers will try to create in 2026.