Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Protect your family by agreeing on one rule: when an unexpected call or message demands urgent action with money, pause. Never move money to supposedly protect it. Verify the story using a number you already know is genuine, and talk to someone trusted before acting.
Reported fraud losses have risen, but that does not mean every measure of elder fraud or its prevalence is rising. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said consumers reported $12.5 billion in fraud losses in 2024; its June 2026 alert said reported scam losses were about $16 billion in 2025. Those totals cover all ages, and the FTC says reports represent only a fraction of actual losses. Older adults who lost money in 2024 lost more than any other age group, although younger people reported losing money more often.
How can I protect my parents from scams?
Make verification a normal family habit, not something an older relative has to decide under pressure. Choose a trusted person to call before sending money in response to an unexpected urgent request. Save family, bank, and government contact details separately from incoming messages, and use those saved details to check any claim.
- Pause when a caller creates urgency, demands secrecy, or says money or identity is at risk.
- Do not transfer funds, withdraw cash, buy cryptocurrency, or hand valuables to a courier because an unexpected caller says to do so.
- Call the person or organization involved using a known, independently obtained number—not a number or link supplied by the caller.
- Discuss the request with someone trusted before taking action.
- Agree on a family emergency callback routine. A shared phrase can help family members communicate, but it is not proof that a caller is legitimate; call the relative back on a saved number.
- Make it safe to disclose a suspicious call. Avoid blame or embarrassment: prompt disclosure may help limit further loss.
The FTC offers free Pass It On materials, including downloadable articles, bookmarks, and videos about family scams, imposters, tech-support scams, and other fraud topics.
#1 Best Overall
What should I do if someone calls saying my grandchild is in trouble?
A scammer may pretend to be a grandchild in trouble, or claim to be a lawyer or police officer calling about that relative. The caller may demand immediate payment and insist the conversation stay secret. Panic and secrecy are reasons to slow down, not reasons to comply.
- Do not send money during the unexpected call, even if the caller sounds convincing.
- Hang up and call the relative using a number saved in your contacts. If they do not answer, contact another family member or trusted person who can check on them.
- Do not use a callback number supplied by the caller as verification.
- If the caller claims to be an official or attorney, independently find and contact the relevant organization using known contact details.
The FTC’s suggested family reminder is: “I’ll never call and ask you to send money for an emergency. That’s a scam. Hang up!” The family rule is more important than trying to identify a caller from their voice or story.
How do I know whether a caller from the bank or government is real?
An unexpected caller may pose as a bank employee, familiar company, or government agency and invent a serious account, identity, or computer problem. The supposed fix may involve moving money or following tightly controlled instructions. End the conversation and contact the organization through a phone number or website you already know is genuine. If the issue is real, the organization can address it through that channel.
Recommended Free Tools
The FTC says: “Government agencies will never threaten you, and they’ll never tell you to transfer your money to ‘protect it,’ deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs, or hand off stacks of cash or gold to a courier.” Treat instructions to move money, withdraw cash, buy cryptocurrency, or give valuables to a courier as a stop signal.
In August 2025, the FTC reported that losses over $100,000 reported by adults 60 and older to business and government imposters had increased nearly sevenfold from 2020 to 2024. That is a comparison in FTC reports, not a population-wide rate of victimization.
Which payment demands should make you stop?
Unexpected requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency are especially concerning. The FTC and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau warn that these payment methods can be difficult or impossible to reverse. No legitimate government agency or business should insist on gift-card payment. Stop, verify the request independently, and do not share payment codes or transfer funds while the caller is on the line.
Rank #4
What do the fraud statistics say about older adults?
The FTC’s March 2025 summary of 2024 reports said total reported fraud losses were $12.5 billion, and one in three people who reported fraud said they lost money. The agency’s June 2026 alert said people reported about $16 billion in scam losses in 2025; that is an all-ages total, not an older-adult figure. Both totals are reported losses, and the FTC cautions that actual losses are likely higher because many incidents are not reported.
Age comparisons need care: FTC data for 2024 say younger people reported losing money more often, while older adults who did lose money lost more than any other age group. This describes reported frequency versus reported amounts lost; it does not establish that older adults are targeted more often. The FTC’s December 2022 article cited historical median reported losses of $800 among people in their 70s and $1,500 among people over 80, but those figures are not current estimates.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What if money or personal information was already sent?
- Report suspected fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- If a payment was made, contact the bank, card issuer, or payment provider promptly using a verified number. Ask whether the transfer can be stopped and whether the account can be secured.
- If personal or account information was shared, tell the relevant financial institution or service provider and ask what steps it recommends for that account.
- Tell a trusted family member or caregiver so they can help watch for follow-up demands and support the next steps.
For services for older adults and caregivers, the FTC’s Pass It On page also points to the Eldercare Locator.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
