How to protect yourself from financial fraud and scams
Every year, millions of older Americans lose money to financial fraud and scams. Scammers try to contact you in person, by phone, through the computer, radio, television ads, email, and text messages. You are often pressured to act quickly. But you have the power to stop them and the right to say “DO NOT".
Five of the most common scams affecting older Americans are:
Online purchases:
Scammers pose as a real company, but have a fake website or advertisement on a genuine retailer's site.
Tip: Click only on the links you have searched for.
Commercial impostors:
Scammers send emails or text messages posing as a big box retailer to get your money or personal information.
Tip: Do not click on links in text messages or emails before checking your account or contacting the company.
Technical support:
Scammers pose as technical service personnel and offer to fix computer problems that are not real. They ask you to give them access to your computer and steal your personal information.
Tip: Accept technical help only when you have noticed a problem and have hired someone or asked for help.
Government impersonation
Scammers pose as government employees and threaten to arrest or prosecute you unless you agree to pay them.
Tip: The federal government will never call you and ask for personal information or threaten you.
romance scams
Scammers pose as interested romantic partners and convince you to give them money or offer to send you money to steal your personal information.
Tip: Do not send or receive money in any form (such as gift cards or bank transfers) from anyone you meet online, no matter how sad or compelling their story is.
I LOOKED FOR HELP: Call the Elder Fraud Hotline at 833–372–8311 Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time English/Spanish/Other languages available This free resource is staffed by case managers experienced professionals who provide support, but do not investigate cases.