As people age, they become more vulnerable to scams. Scammers often target seniors because they are perceived as being more trusting and less likely to report the crime. Here are the top 3 scams that target elders:

1. Government impersonation scams: These scams involve scammers calling or emailing seniors pretending to be from a government agency, such as the IRS or Social Security Administration. The scammers will often say that the senior owes money or is in danger of being arrested, and they will demand payment in the form of gift cards, wire transfers, or prepaid debit cards.
2. Sweepstakes and lottery scams: These scams involve scammers sending letters or emails to seniors claiming that they have won a prize in a sweepstakes or lottery that they never entered. The scammers will often ask the senior to pay a fee in order to claim their prize, but the prize is never real.
3. Tech support scams: These scams involve scammers calling or emailing seniors pretending to be from a tech support company. The scammers will say that there is a problem with the senior’s computer and they need to pay for help to fix it. The scammers will often use scare tactics to pressure the senior into paying, but they are not actually fixing anything.

If you receive a call or email from someone who claims to be from a government agency, a sweepstakes or lottery company, or a tech support company, be skeptical. Do not give out any personal information, and do not pay any money. Hang up the phone or delete the email.

Here are some tips to help you avoid scams:

• Be suspicious of any unsolicited calls or emails. Scammers often use these methods to reach out to potential victims.
• Do not give out personal information over the phone or online. This includes your Social Security number, bank account number, or credit card number.
• Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay in gift cards, wire transfers, or prepaid debit cards. These are often used by scammers because they are difficult to trace.
• If you are unsure about a call or email, hang up the phone or delete the email. You can always call the company or organization directly to verify the information.
• Talk to your family and friends about scams. The more people who are aware of scams, the less likely they are to fall victim to them.

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