Phone scams are one of the most common ways criminals target seniors. They rely on urgency, fear, and authority to pressure you into acting before you can think. Here are the most common ones — and how to spot them.
👤 The Government Impersonator
How it works: A caller claims to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, or Medicare. They say you owe money, your benefits are at risk, or your Social Security number has been “suspended.” They demand immediate payment — often by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
The truth: The IRS and Social Security will never call you demanding immediate payment. They communicate by mail first. Your Social Security number cannot be “suspended.”
What to do: Hang up. If you’re concerned, call the agency directly using the number on their official website or on the back of your card.
👴 The Grandparent Scam
How it works: Someone calls pretending to be your grandchild (or a police officer, lawyer, or doctor calling on their behalf). They say your grandchild has been in an accident, arrested, or is in the hospital — and they need money right away. They always say “please don’t tell Mom and Dad.”
The truth: Scammers can find your family members’ names on social media. Some now use AI to clone voices, making it sound exactly like your grandchild.
What to do: Hang up and call your grandchild directly at their real number. If you can’t reach them, call their parent. Never send money based on a phone call alone.
💻 The Tech Support Scam
How it works: Someone calls claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, or your internet provider. They say your computer has a virus or has been hacked. They ask you to give them remote access to your computer or to pay for “protection” you don’t need.
The truth: Microsoft, Apple, and internet companies will never call you out of the blue about a problem with your computer.
What to do: Hang up immediately. Never give anyone remote access to your computer unless you contacted a trusted repair service yourself.
🏆 The Prize or Lottery Scam
How it works: You get a call saying you’ve won a sweepstakes, lottery, or prize. But to collect your winnings, you need to pay taxes, fees, or shipping costs upfront — usually by gift card or wire transfer.
The truth: You cannot win a contest you didn’t enter. Legitimate sweepstakes never require you to pay to receive your prize.
What to do: Hang up. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
🤖 Robocalls and Spoofed Numbers
How it works: You receive an automated call — or a call that appears to come from a local number or a company you recognize. The caller ID has been faked (“spoofed”) to make you more likely to answer.
The truth: Caller ID can be easily faked. A local area code does not mean the caller is local or legitimate.
What to do: If you don’t recognize the number, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers will leave a message. Never press any buttons when prompted by a robocall — it confirms your number is active.
Golden Rules for Phone Calls
- Never give personal information to someone who called you — even if they seem to already know some of your details.
- Never pay by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. No real business or government agency accepts these.
- Don’t trust caller ID. It can be faked to show any name or number.
- It’s always okay to hang up. A real caller won’t mind if you say “Let me call you back” and look up the real number yourself.
- Talk to someone you trust before sending money or sharing information with a stranger on the phone.