The Con Artist's Playbook: Six Scams Every Senior (and Their Family) Should Know About

The call that changed everything came on a Tuesday afternoon. My normally level-headed father was agitated, even scared. "The IRS is going to arrest me," he explained, his voice shaking. "They said I owe back taxes and need to pay immediately or they'll send the police to my door."

Thankfully, I recognized the classic signs of an IRS scam—one of many schemes specifically designed to exploit older adults. We reported the call, and no money changed hands. But the experience left me wondering: how many seniors aren't so fortunate?

The truth is troubling. Scammers target older adults with ruthless precision, exploiting trust, creating fear, and manufacturing urgency to bypass rational thinking. Their tactics are sophisticated, their scripts well-rehearsed, and their technology increasingly convincing.

But knowledge is power. Understanding the most common scams and their warning signs can help seniors and their families recognize and avoid these traps before any damage is done.

Top 3 Takeaways:

• Legitimate organizations like the IRS, Social Security, and Medicare will never call demanding immediate payment or personal information

• Any situation creating extreme urgency ("Act now or else!") is designed to prevent clear thinking and should trigger immediate skepticism

• Verifying requests through official channels (calling the organization directly using a number you look up yourself) stops most scams in their tracks

1. The Government Impersonator: IRS and Social Security Scams

Few things trigger immediate anxiety like a call from a government agency. Scammers know this and have perfected their government impersonation tactics.

How They Hook You:

• A stern "agent" claims you owe back taxes and must pay immediately to avoid arrest

• Your Social Security number has supposedly been "suspended" due to suspicious activity

• Your benefits will be terminated unless you "verify" your personal information

James received such a call that nearly cost him his retirement savings: "The caller knew my name and the last four digits of my Social Security number. He sounded so official, with office noise in the background. When he threatened legal action, I nearly gave him my banking information."

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Demands for immediate payment, especially via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency

• Threats of arrest, legal action, or benefit suspension if you don't act immediately

• Caller ID showing government agency names (easily faked with spoofing technology)

• Requests for personal information like Social Security numbers or banking details

Your Best Defense:

• Government agencies like the IRS and Social Security Administration almost always communicate through official letters, not phone calls

• They will never demand immediate payment or threaten immediate arrest

• If concerned, hang up and call the agency directly using their official number (1-800-829-1040 for IRS, 1-800-772-1213 for Social Security)

• Never trust caller ID—sophisticated scammers can make calls appear to come from official agencies

2. The Medical Manipulator: Medicare and Health Insurance Scams

Healthcare is confusing even for experts. Scammers exploit this complexity to confuse seniors about their benefits while stealing their information or money.

How They Hook You:

• "Medicare representatives" claim you need a new card and must verify your Medicare number

• Offers of "free" medical equipment or services in exchange for your Medicare information

• Warnings that you'll lose coverage unless you "update" your information immediately

Sarah almost fell victim to this scheme: "The caller offered free diabetic supplies, which I actually needed. He knew just enough medical terminology to sound legitimate. When he asked for my Medicare number to 'verify eligibility,' I almost gave it to him before remembering my daughter's warning."

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Unsolicited calls about medical equipment, services, or testing

• Offers of "free" anything in exchange for your Medicare number

• Scare tactics about losing benefits without immediate action

• Claims of "limited time" health programs that require immediate enrollment

Your Best Defense:

• Remember that Medicare will never call you unsolicited to ask for personal information

• Free medical equipment doesn't exist—if someone's offering it, there's a catch

• Check your Medicare statements regularly for fraudulent charges

• Report suspicious calls to 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

3. The Digital Romancer: Online Dating and Romance Scams

Loneliness can make anyone vulnerable, and scammers have developed elaborate personas designed to create false emotional connections—then exploit them for financial gain.

How They Hook You:

• A charming new online friend or romantic interest develops a relationship surprisingly quickly

• They live or travel overseas, explaining why they can never meet in person

• Eventually, they face a crisis—medical emergency, legal trouble, travel problems—and need financial help "just this once"

Eleanor's experience shows how sophisticated these scams can be: "After my husband died, I joined an online seniors' group. James messaged me privately, and we talked for months. He sent photos, shared stories about his grandchildren, even sent small gifts. When he got 'stuck' in London with a medical emergency, sending money felt like helping a dear friend. By the time I realized he wasn't real, I'd lost $15,000."

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Relationships that progress unusually quickly, with declarations of love within weeks

• Consistent excuses for why video calls or in-person meetings are impossible

• Vague or inconsistent details about their life, job, or background

• Eventually, requests for money, gift cards, or other financial assistance

• Reluctance to involve your friends or family in the relationship

Your Best Defense:

• Never send money to someone you haven't met in person

• Reverse image search their photos (use Google Images) to see if they appear elsewhere

• Share details about your online relationships with trusted family or friends

• Remember that legitimate romantic interests don't ask for money

• Report romance scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov

4. The Tech Trickster: Computer Support Scams

Technology can be intimidating for many seniors, creating perfect opportunities for scammers to pose as helpful tech support while actually stealing money and information.

How They Hook You:

• A pop-up message appears with alarming warnings about viruses or security breaches

• A caller claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, or a security company says they've detected issues with your computer

• They offer to "fix" the problem remotely if you'll give them access to your computer

Robert's experience illustrates how convincing these scams can be: "A window popped up on my computer with flashing warnings and a siren sound saying my computer was infected. When I called the number on the screen, the technician sounded so professional. He showed me all these 'errors' on my computer and offered to fix them for $499. My grandson later told me those weren't real errors—just normal system files the scammer misrepresented."

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Pop-up messages with urgent warnings and phone numbers to call

• Unsolicited calls claiming to be from tech companies

• Requests for remote access to your computer

• Pressure to purchase security software or support packages

• Technical jargon meant to confuse and intimidate

Your Best Defense:

• Legitimate tech companies never monitor your personal computer or call you about "problems"

• Never call phone numbers from pop-up messages or alerts

• Never give remote access to your computer to someone who contacted you first

• If concerned about computer security, contact a trusted local computer repair service

• Install legitimate security software from reputable companies

5. The Family Emergency: Grandparent Scams

Perhaps the cruelest scam plays on a grandparent's natural instinct to help their grandchildren in trouble. These scams trigger immediate emotional responses that bypass rational thinking.

How They Hook You:

• A distressed caller claims to be your grandchild in an emergency situation

• They say they've been arrested, hospitalized, or stranded while traveling

• They beg you not to tell their parents and request immediate financial help

• Sometimes an accomplice poses as a lawyer or doctor to add credibility

Maria's story shows how convincing these calls can be: "The young man calling sounded just different enough from my grandson that I could attribute it to stress or a bad connection. He was crying, saying he'd been in an accident and needed bail money. When another man got on—claiming to be a police officer—I was ready to send the money immediately. Thank goodness I called my daughter first to check."

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Callers who say "It's me, your grandchild" without specifying which one

• Stories involving arrests, accidents, or overseas emergencies

• Requests to keep the situation secret from other family members

• Urgent requests for money via wire transfer, gift cards, or cash

• Pressure to act immediately without verification

Your Best Defense:

• Create a family verification system—like a code word known only to family members

• Ask personal questions only the real grandchild would know

• Say you'll call right back, then call your grandchild's known number directly

• Contact parents or other family members to verify before sending any money

• Remember that secrecy requests are almost always red flags

6. The Windfall Deceiver: Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams

The prospect of unexpected wealth can cloud judgment and create excitement that overrides caution. Scammers have perfected the art of the fake windfall.

How They Hook You:

• You receive notification that you've won a lottery, sweepstakes, or prize

• To claim your "winnings," you must first pay taxes, fees, or processing costs

• You might receive a legitimate-looking check to deposit, with instructions to wire back a portion for "fees"

Thomas nearly lost thousands to this scheme: "I received an official-looking letter with gold seals saying I'd won an international lottery. They sent a check for $5,000 as a 'partial payment' and asked me to wire $2,000 back for 'processing fees.' Thankfully, my bank held the check and discovered it was fake before I sent the money."

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Notifications about winning contests you never entered

• Requirements to pay fees, taxes, or costs to receive winnings

• Pressure to keep your "winnings" confidential

• Requests for banking information to "deposit your prize"

• Checks sent with instructions to deposit and return a portion

Your Best Defense:

• Remember you cannot win contests you didn't enter

• Legitimate lotteries never require upfront payment to claim prizes

• Never wire money or provide gift cards in exchange for promised winnings

• If you receive a check with your "prize," know that it's likely to bounce after you've sent "fees"

• Report lottery and sweepstakes scams to the Federal Trade Commission at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov

Building Your Family's Scam Defense System

Beyond understanding specific scams, these general practices can significantly reduce vulnerability:

Create a Family Verification Protocol Establish a system where your loved one calls a designated family member before sending money, providing personal information, or making financial decisions above a certain amount.

Implement Technical Safeguards

• Register phone numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry (www.donotcall.gov)

• Install call-blocking technology on phones

• Set up fraud alerts with credit bureaus

• Consider a credit freeze for the highest level of protection

Practice Healthy Skepticism Encourage seniors to approach unexpected contacts with a simple mantra: "Verify first, act second." Legitimate organizations will respect the need to confirm their identity.

Rehearse Responses Help seniors practice simple phrases to use when feeling pressured:

• "I need to discuss this with my family first."

• "Please send me written information to review."

• "I'll call you back after I verify this with the official organization."

The greatest protection against scams isn't technology or monitoring—it's education and communication. By understanding scammers' playbooks and discussing them openly as a family, you create a powerful shield against even the most convincing cons.

And remember, falling for a scam can happen to anyone. If you or a loved one has been victimized, report it immediately. Contact local police, file reports with relevant agencies, and alert financial institutions. The faster you act, the better chance you have of minimizing damage and helping authorities catch these criminals.

Together, we can make scamming seniors a losing proposition.