12 Tips to Protect Seniors from Phone Scams

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Senior citizens lost a staggering amount of $3.4 Billion to scams in 2023, according to FBI.

The data shows that an average older adult, targeted by scammers, lost $33,915. Almost 6000 seniors lost more than $100,000 to financial scams.

The elderly scams statistics showed 14% increase in complaints filed by seniors with 11% increase in financial loss, as compared to the previous year.

Here are 12 tips on how to protect elderly from phone scams and how to spot scammers and fraudsters.

Read More: Top 10 online scams targeting seniors

1. Learn to Recognize Common Phone Scams

It is important that older adults are aware of common phone scams targeting seniors. It is easier to spot a scam if you know about the common methods the scammers use.

Here are some of the common phone scams targeting the elderly.

• Tech support scams
• Investment scams
• Grandparent scams
• Lottery scams
• Charity scams
• Senior benefits scams
• Siri, Alexa and Google Home scams
• Romance scams
• Government imposter scams

The scammers keep coming up with new and sophisticated methods to target senior citizens via phone calls and texts.

Preventing phone scams targeting seniors starts with awareness. When seniors understand the different types of scams, they can better recognize and avoid fraudulent calls.

2. Never Share Personal Information Over The Phone

Legitimate banks and credit card companies will never ask for sensitive information over a phone call. If someone claims to be from your bank, ask for a callback number and verify their identity before responding.

Never share the following details over the phone:

• Home address or email
• Date of birth or full name
• Banking details or credit card numbers
• Social Security number
• Your mother’s maiden name

Scammers can use this information to steal your identity and commit fraud. Stay cautious and verify before you trust.

3. Register on The “do not call” Registry

Looking at how to stop scammers from calling elderly? Reduce unwanted telemarketing calls by adding your home and mobile numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry.

While some organizations—such as charities, political groups, and debt collectors—may still contact you, this is an important first step in protecting yourself and your loved ones from unwanted calls.

4. Set Up a Bank Account With a Spending Limit

Wondering how to protect elderly from phone scams because you are concerned about your loved one’s financial decision-making?

consider setting up a separate bank account with a low spending limit.

A debit card linked to this account can be used for everyday purchases and online transactions, while savings remain secure in a separate account.

This adds an extra layer of protection against fraud and unauthorized charges.

5. Monitor Bank Accounts and Credit Cards

One effective way to prevent phone scams is to regularly monitor your bank and credit card statements.

Use online banking or mobile apps to track transactions and quickly spot any suspicious activity or unauthorized charges.

Making this a routine habit can help detect fraud early and protect your finances.

6. Never Buy Anything Over the Phone

The scammers act as telemarketers to sell you products or services. Tell telemarketers that you do not buy anything on phone.

Purchasing things on phone involves sharing personal and financial data which is not a good idea to begin with.

Stay away from telemarketing offers that sound too good to be true.

7. Donate Wisely

Do not donate by phone calls or texts. Choose trusted organizations and beware of names similar to well-known charities.

When donating

• Never pay by cash, payment by bank check is a safer option.
• Never write a personal check on a person’s name
• Validate the charity organizations before donating (use Charity Navigator, Charity Watch or Guide Star)
• If you signed up to donate to a charity on a monthly basis, keep a record of your donations and track them on your financial statement

Donate your money wisely so it reaches deserving people, not scammers.

8. Never Pay to Claim a Prize or Lottery Payout

Real prizes are free and you should never pay to claim your prize. Do not share bank account details or other personal information to get a lottery payout on phone.

You can ask the caller to provide you with a number to call back and can confirm the number is legit before calling back.

9. Resist Pressure to “Act Now”

This strategy is used in phone scams where the scammer wants you to act now to secure a deal before you have time to think.  

They may pressurize you with threats such as you will be arrested or deported if you do not act now. They can ask you for personal information pretending they are calling from govt agency or a police station.

Always ask them for a phone number to call back and you will have time to think and confirm if it was not a scammer. Never act in a hurry.

10. Don’t Answer Calls from Unrecognized Numbers

The best way to avoid elderly phone scams is by not picking up a phone call from a scammer or unknown numbers.

They can leave a message with a phone number to call back. You can call back after confirming the person is not a scammer and that you know them.

Do not trust caller ID numbers as criminals can use legitimate numbers of companies through spoofing techniques. 

11. Avoid Using Public WiFi

Do not use a public WiFi hotspot to access online banking or to login banking app or share personal information through them. 

Public WiFi is great service but scammers can use it to break into your mobile phone. The data is usually not encrypted on public WiFi so always assume that public WiFi is not safe to use.

12. Report If You Were Scammed

Many scams and frauds go unreported because either people are ashamed to admit that they have been scammed or they do not know how to report a scam.

Do not be ashamed to report if you have been a target of a scam, it only helps scammers to target more people.

To make sure that the crime does not go unnoticed.  

1. Report the Scam to FTC: Report to FTC online or via phone
2. Report Identity Theft: If you have shared personal/ financial information with a scammer, go to the Identity Theft website to report the identity theft and get a recovery plan.
3. National Elder Fraud line: If you or your loved one has been a victim of elder financial fraud or scam, reach out to Nation Elder Fraud Line. They assign you a case manager and treat you with respect and understanding.
4. NAPSA: National Adult Protective Services Association helps you on local levels. This nonprofit works with seniors and disabled persons if they were target of a scam resulting in a financial loss.
5. Report to Your Bank: Let your bank know if you have a victim of financial fraud to discuss the options to protect your financial information in the future.  

These are some of the tips on how to protect seniors from phone scams.

Never share personal or financial information with anyone over the phone to prevent phone scams and report if you have been a victim of financial fraud or identity theft.

Preventing phone scams targeting seniors requires awareness, monitoring financial accounts, and avoiding sharing personal information over the phone.

Here are some more articles you should check out

• 12 Reasons why seniors struggles with technology
• 8 Tips to teach technology to older adults
• How to teach basic computer skills to seniors
• 12 Fun activities for seniors to do alone