Scammers frequently target the elderly, taking advantage of their trust, financial stability and unfamiliarity with modern fraud tactics. In 2023, seniors in the U.S. lost a staggering $3.4 billion to fraud, a 14% increase from the previous year, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. With over 88,000 elderly victims reporting scams annually, the need for awareness and protection has never been greater. 

Florida consistently ranks among the top states for elder fraud, with its large population of retirees making it a prime target for scammers. According to the FBI, Florida reported more than 9,000 cases of elder fraud in 2023—the second highest in the nation—resulting in losses exceeding $335 million. The state’s aging population, combined with its popularity as a retirement destination, creates a vulnerable demographic that criminals seek to exploit. Learn about common scams against the elderly, how to prevent yourself or your loved ones from becoming a victim and what to do if you suspect fraud.

Social Security Scams

Social Security scams are a common form of fraud where scammers impersonate Social Security Administration officials to trick victims into revealing their personal information. Scammers will claim that the victim’s social security number has been compromised in some way. The victim will be asked to confirm their social security number therefore gaining access to their personal information. Like many scams, victims may be told that they need to act now or their social security account will be frozen or suspended. Scammers spoof the caller ID to appear that they are calling from the Social Security Administration’s phone number or use robocalls to make the call seem more realistic.

Telemarketing Scams

Telemarketing scams involve phone calls from a “salesperson” that truly is a scammer trying to get personal information from the victim. These calls can range from scammers claiming to be collecting donations for a charity, selling something or telling victims that they won a prize. Scammers will tell victims that they “must act now” and expect payment immediately over the phone.

Investment Scams

Investment scams involve the illegal promotion of financial products while promising guaranteed returns with little to no risk. In 2023, adults aged 60 and older reported losing over $1.2 billion to investment scams, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. These are commonly shared through social media platforms with testimonials from paid actors that say they have seen huge benefits. Victims are encouraged to immediately invest and continue to invest. Eventually, the scam falls apart and victims are unable to recoup their money.

Romance Scams

Romance scams (also called sweetheart scams) involve con artists posing as romantic partners on online dating apps or social networking sites to deceive victims into sending money. The elderly are often targeted for these scams as they can be more likely to crave companionship. Scammers create fake social media or dating profiles to build trust with their victims, often pretending to be overseas. Victims may be asked to pay for medical emergencies, travel expenses to come to the U.S. or visas. This type of scam may last a long time as the scammer gains the trust of the victim and the victim typically loses a lot of money due to its duration.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, in 2023 romance scam losses totaled $1.1 billion with over 64,000 people reporting that they were victims of a romance scam. These are also often the highest-cost scam to victims, with median losses totaling over $2,000 per person.

Contractor and Home Repair Scams

Contractor and home repair scams prey on the elderly, exploiting their trust and lack of familiarity with costs. These schemes range from misleading practices to outright theft, often using high-pressure tactics to push unnecessary or overpriced repairs. Often, these scammers may:

• Show up unannounced, claiming to have noticed an urgent issue with the roof, driveway or another part of the home.
• Use high-pressure sales tactics to create a false sense of urgency, insisting the work must be done immediately—often at an inflated price.
• Demand upfront payment but either disappear or perform little to no work.
• Fabricate problems to justify unnecessary repairs or intentionally cause damage to make a job seem essential. Even when work is completed, it is often shoddy, leading to further costly fixes.
• Lure victims in with low estimates, only to dramatically raise the price once the work begins, leaving homeowners with no choice but to pay.

Tax Refund Identity Theft

Tax-refund identity theft occurs when a thief uses your name, Social Security number and birth date to file a fake tax return with fabricated income and tax-withholding data to collect an improper refund. Criminals receive the refund sometimes by check, but more often though a hard-to-trace prepaid debit card.

Fake Charities and Donation Scams

Fraudulent charities rely on urgency and emotional appeals to trick people into donating. By doing your research and asking the right questions, you can ensure your money supports a legitimate cause.

Red Flags of a Fake Charity

Scammers often use the following tactics to manipulate donors:

• Vague Language – They provide little to no detail about the organization or how funds will be used.
• Pressure – They push for immediate donations, discouraging you from researching first.
• Emotional Manipulation – They use dramatic language to elicit sympathy and urgency.
• Caller ID Spoofing – They may disguise their number to appear legitimate.
• Odd Timing – Calls for donations early in the morning or late at night can be suspicious.

Ask the Right Questions

To feel confident about your donation, ask the caller:

• What is the full name, mailing address and website of the organization?
• How will the funds be used, and what percentage goes directly to the cause?
• Where can I find more information?

How to Verify a Charity

A quick online search can reveal a lot. Look up the organization’s name along with words such as scam or fraud to see if there are reports of suspicious activity. You may even find that the very caller you’re questioning has already been flagged. For additional verification, check resources such as Charity Navigator and Charity Watch, which evaluate nonprofits and expose fraudulent ones. Also take time to review the charity’s website.

By staying informed and taking a few extra steps, you can protect yourself from donation scams and ensure your generosity reaches those who truly need it.

Computer and Technology Scams

Scammers often exploit seniors’ trust and unfamiliarity with rapidly changing technology. Here are some common computer and technology scams targeting older adults:

Tech Support Scams

Scammers pose as tech support agents from Microsoft, Apple or other well-known companies. They claim the victim’s computer has a virus and convince them to grant remote access or pay for unnecessary repairs.

Phishing Scams

An individual will receive emails or text messages pretending to be from banks, government agencies or service providers. These messages often contain urgent language and ask for personal information or login credentials.

Medicare and Health Insurance Scams

Scammers send emails claiming to be from Medicare, offering “new benefits” or requesting personal information to issue a new card.

Online Shopping and Sweepstakes Scams

Be cautious of websites offering steep product discounts or emails that ask for payment for a prize.

Preventing Fraud Against Seniors

Watch for these common red flags to protect yourself or a loved one from scams against the elderly:

• Unsolicited Contact – Be suspicious of unexpected calls, emails or messages requesting personal information or payments.
• Urgency and Fear Tactics – Scammers often claim there’s an emergency or deadline to pressure quick action.
• Requests for Money – If someone asks for payment via gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency, it’s likely a scam.
• Too Good to Be True – Large prize winnings, inheritances from unknown relatives or guaranteed investment returns are major red flags.
• Requests for Personal Information – Legitimate organizations won’t ask for sensitive details (Social Security numbers, bank info, passwords) or personal information over the phone or email.

Always verify the source or any phone call or request by doing the following:

• Hang Up and Call Back – If contacted by a company or government agency, look up its official number and call directly.
• Check Email Addresses – Scammers often use email addresses that resemble legitimate ones but have slight misspellings.
• Ask a Trusted Person – Before making any kind of commitment or decision, consult a family member or friend about suspicious messages or requests.

Protect your personal information by following these tips:

• Never Share Sensitive Details – Banks, government agencies and reputable companies will not ask for personal details over email or phone.
• Use Strong Passwords & Multi-Factor Authentication – Secure online accounts with unique passwords and two-step verification which provides an extra layer of security.
• Shred Sensitive Documents – Prevent identity theft by destroying bank statements, medical records and financial documents before disposing of them.
• Be Cautious Online – Avoid clicking unknown links, use secure websites (before entering payment details, ensure the website starts with “https://” and has a padlock symbol) and limit social media sharing.

Know Who to Call for Help

If you or someone you know have fallen victim to scams or fraud, immediately contact local law enforcement to report the crime. The sooner that you can report illegal activity, the faster that action can be taken. The information you possess as a victim could be the crucial piece law enforcement needs to apprehend scammers. In addition, filing a report with federal and state agencies can help prevent crimes from happening to someone else.

Reaching out to consumer protection agencies or fraud hotlines will also provide further guidance and support. If you suspect fraud, the following are state and federal agencies to contact:

• The Florida Attorney General’s Office of Citizen Services operates the Attorney General’s Fraud Hotline at (850) 414-3990 or toll-free within Florida (866) 966-7226.
• The Florida Department of Elder Affairs’ Elder Helpline Information and Assistance provides service within each Florida County at 1-800-963-5337.
• The Florida Senior Legal Helpline is a free and confidential statewide telephone advice and referral service available toll-free within Florida at (888) 895-7873 or online at https://bals.org/senior-legal-helpline.
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
• The National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).

Protecting Seniors from Scams

As technology changes, scams against the elderly will continue to evolve as well. Encourage seniors to stay cautious and double-check before making decisions to help protect them from scams and financial loss. If you suspect that you or your loved one may be victims of a scam, contact local law enforcement and report the activity. Citizens working in tandem with law enforcement to fight these types of crimes will help prevent fraud, protect vulnerable individuals and hold scammers accountable.

Visit the Florida Sherifs Association’s website to read more safety tips, and to learn how we are committed to protecting Florida’s citizens.

About the Florida Sheriffs Association

Founded in 1893, the Florida Sheriffs Association was established to unite Florida’s sheriffs in advancing public safety, shaping legislation and fostering collaboration among law enforcement agencies. Over the decades, FSA has grown into a powerful advocate for law enforcement, providing training, resources and support to ensure the protection and security of Florida’s communities.

The Florida Sheriffs Association will help you to stay informed on the latest law enforcement initiatives, public safety updates and the work of Florida’s sheriffs. From in-depth blogs to legislative news and community programs, we keep you connected to the issues that matter. Explore more at flsheriffs.org and stay engaged with Florida’s law enforcement community.