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The Biggest Scams Targeting Older Americans in 2025 - What To Look Out For

Learn the warning signs to help you stay one step ahead.

By Kristin Hitchcock , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Sept. 1, 2026

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As you enter or move through retirement, the goal is to safeguard what you've worked hard for, not to let scammers take it. To help you avoid wasting your retirement savings, it's critical to understand what's out there and how the threats that target older Americans are evolving.

Here's a guide to some of the biggest scams active in 2025 that are specifically aimed at older adults and seniors, along with practical red flags and protective steps.

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Government or agency imposter scams

Scammers pretend to be from agencies like the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), or a Medicare-type program. They may claim your benefits are at risk, your Social Security number has been misused, or you owe back taxes.

Common red flags include urgent demands, threats of arrest, or requests for payments via gift cards or cryptocurrency. The safest move: hang up, call the agency using a known number, and don't respond to unsolicited demands.

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Tech support & remote access scam

You may get a call or see a pop-up claiming your computer is hacked or your account is compromised. The caller offers help, asks you to download software or allow remote access, then steals personal data or demands payment. Watch for unsolicited tech aid and pressure to act now. Real companies don't cold-call offering help or ask for remote access. If in doubt, turn off your device and ask a trusted technician.

Family emergency scam

In this scam, someone pretends to be your grandchild or loved one in urgent trouble (stranded abroad, arrested, needing bail money) and pleads with you not to tell anyone else. The pressure, secrecy, and request for immediate money (often via gift cards or wire) are big red flags.

Pause and take a moment: call your relative on a known number, ask specific questions only they would know. Don't send money before verifying.

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Prize & sweepstakes scam

You might be told you've won a large prize or sweepstakes you never entered, and that to claim it, you must pay fees, taxes or shipping first. That is almost always a scam. Legitimate contests don't ask for payment to claim winnings. If you receive such a notice, treat it with suspicion, verify the organization independently, and don't hand over your personal or banking information.

Investment & retirement account scam (including crypto)

Since older adults often have retirement savings, scammers pitch too-good-to-be-true investments: gold, real estate, crypto, or offshore funds. They promise high returns, guarantee no risk, and push you to move money into unfamiliar accounts quickly. These are major warning signs. Protect yourself by verifying the adviser's credentials (via Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or Securities and Exchange Commission), asking for time to think, and consulting a trusted professional. Slow down any urgent investment.

Charity & tele-marketing scam

Scammers may call or knock on your door as friendly solicitors for charities or special offers, but these can be fronts for fraud. High-pressure appeals ("act today"), vague charity names, requests for gift cards or cash, or refusal to provide written materials are warning signs.

Before donating, research the charity independently, ask for written details, and give only by check or credit card you can track, not cash or gift card.

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Romance & friendship scam

If you've met someone online or connected via social media, and they quickly start asking for money, saying they're in crisis, need tickets, travel help or other funds. You might be facing a sweetheart or romance scam. These behave like friendship scams but prey on emotional connection and trust.

Flags include sudden declarations of love, reluctance to meet in person, and pleas for money. Protect yourself by keeping conversations on known platforms, avoiding transfers, and discussing the situation with a trusted friend.

Pig-butchering

A newer, extra dangerous hybrid is the pig-butchering scam: the scammer builds a seemingly innocent online relationship, then introduces an investment opportunity (often crypto) and trains you to deposit more and more. Ultimately, the funds vanish. This targets older adults who may trust the relationship.

Warning signs include insistence on crypto transfers, no clear exit plan, or an online advisor pushing too many trades. Treat any romantic-meets-investment scenario with extreme scrutiny.

AI-enhanced scams

In 2025, scammers are increasingly using AI to mimic voices of family members or create fake urgent texts. You may get a call sounding exactly like your grandchild or an email supposedly from your bank with believable details. The deception can feel very real. Red flags: unexpected urgent messages, requests for money via odd means, or inability to verify identity. If you feel rushed or confused, hang up and contact your loved one or institution via a known number.

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Health insurance & Medicare scams

Because older adults often qualify for Medicare and supplemental plans, scammers will pose as insurance representatives, offering new cards, upgrades, or supposedly helping you navigate changes, but really looking to steal your personal data, Medicare number or money.

Always question unsolicited insurance calls, and remember: you don't need to pay fees to keep your Medicare coverage. If someone asks for your Medicare card number or money for new coverage, pause and verify through official channels.

Bottom line

Scammers are getting smarter, but so can you. By staying alert, slowing down before sharing personal information, and double-checking every "urgent" message or offer, you can protect your hard-earned savings and enjoy a more stress-free retirement. Awareness is still the most powerful defense against fraud.

In 2023 alone, Americans over 60 reported more than $3.4 billion in losses to scams, according to the FTC: a number that's expected to rise in 2025. Taking time now to learn the warning signs can help you set yourself up for retirement with confidence and peace of mind.

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