Is my elderly parent being targeted by phone scammers?
Quite possibly. Older adults are disproportionately targeted by phone fraud, including grandparent scams, tech-support fraud, and Medicare impersonation.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Explanation
Scammers specifically target older adults because they may be more trusting of phone calls, less familiar with digital fraud tactics, and more likely to have retirement savings. Common schemes include grandparent scams (a fake grandchild is in trouble), Medicare or pension fraud (claiming benefit changes require personal details), tech-support calls (claiming the computer has a virus), and fake prize notifications. Signs a loved one may be targeted include unexplained gift card purchases, unusual bank withdrawals, secrecy about a new 'friend' or 'helper', or multiple calls from unfamiliar numbers. Gentle, non-judgmental conversations about fraud go a long way toward prevention.
Shame is the scammer's strongest ally in this demographic. Many older victims stay silent because they fear losing independence or being seen as incapable, which lets the fraud continue and deepen. Framing matters: these are professionally engineered crimes that succeed against people of every age and background, and saying so explicitly makes disclosure far more likely. Ask open questions about calls and new contacts rather than interrogating specific transactions.
Practical safeguards can be layered on gently. Call-screening or call-blocking features on the phone, a standing family agreement that no money moves the same day a request arrives, and involving a second trusted person before any unusual withdrawal all interrupt the isolation and urgency scammers depend on. If the bank offers trusted-contact or account-alert features, setting them up together turns protection into a shared routine rather than a loss of control.
Common red flags
- Unexplained gift card, wire transfer, or large cash withdrawals
- Secrecy about a new phone contact or 'friend'
- Multiple calls from unknown numbers
- Fear or anxiety about something they won't discuss
- Being talked into expensive computer repairs or account 'security' work
What to do now
- Have an open, non-judgmental conversation about common phone scams
- Set up a family code word for genuine emergencies
- Register their number with your national do-not-call list
- Contact Adult Protective Services or local police if you believe they are being actively defrauded
Frequently asked questions
What if my parent has already sent money?
Contact the bank or payment service immediately. Report to the FTC or your national fraud authority, and consider involving Adult Protective Services if ongoing exploitation is suspected.
Why do scammers keep calling the same person?
Once someone responds or pays, their details are added to so-called sucker lists that are sold between fraud groups, so contact attempts increase rather than stop. A sudden surge of calls after one incident is a sign the person is on such a list.