Americans aged 60 and older lost $4.8 billion in 2024 to scammers, according to a report released by the FBI. These figures represent real people, real families, and life-changing financial devastation.
The impact extends beyond just the numbers. The average loss among people over the age of 60 was $83,000, more than four times the average overall loss in 2024. This disparity highlights why seniors have become prime targets for sophisticated scam operations.
Why seniors are targeted
Cybercriminals specifically target older adults for several reasons. Many seniors have accumulated substantial savings over their lifetimes, own their homes outright, and maintain good credit scores. Additionally, some may be less familiar with modern technology and digital security practices, making them more vulnerable to online deception.
The 5 scams draining senior bank accounts
1. Tech support fraud
Tech support scams happen when scammers pose as representatives of legitimate businesses like banks and utility companies. They reach out in various ways, including phone calls, texts and pop-up windows. They claim there’s an issue with a device or account and ask to send a fee to fix it. These fake alerts provide phone numbers that connect victims to scammers who then request remote access to computers and payment for unnecessary “repairs.”
2. Romance scams
Lonely seniors looking for love and companionship can easily fall victim to romance fraud. Criminals create fake profiles on dating sites and social media. These scammers build emotional relationships over weeks or months before requesting money to be wired or transferred to them for emergencies or travel expenses. Romance scams cost seniors $277 million (up 16% from 2022) according to the FTC’s latest report.
3. Grandparent scams
One of the most disturbing trends is the grandparent emergency scam. Fraudsters use AI to clone the voice of a grandchild in distress. Grandma or Grandpa gets a fake call from someone who sounds just like their grandchild saying need of money for bail, medical emergencies, or another crisis. They often request that the victim keep the call secret and send money immediately through wire transfers or gift cards. These scams work because they create emotional urgency.
4. Investment fraud
Older adults report losing more money, $538 million—a 34% increase over 2022, to investment scams than any other type of fraud. These scams often originate from phone calls, emails, social media, or events where fraudsters promise “guaranteed” high returns with little to no risk. Many schemes use urgency (“act now before it’s too late”), pose as financial advisors, or an affinity group related to their community or church. Seniors may fall for them because they sound safe and tailored to their situation, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate opportunities and fraudulent ones until it’s too late.
5. Government impersonation scams
Scammers pose as representatives from Medicare, Social Security, or the IRS, claiming there are problems with benefits or threatening legal action unless immediate payment is made. For example, a call, text or social media message from someone who says they work at the Social Security Administration. They threaten to suspend the senior’s Social Security number or stop their Social Security payments unless they send them money owed. This type of claim is a scheme to steal both identity and money. Social Security numbers can’t be suspended, and government agencies will never ask to be paid via wire transfer, cryptocurrency or payment apps.
Signs that it might be a scam
- Unexpected phone calls or pop-ups claiming a computer is infected
- Requests for immediate payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
- High-pressure tactics demanding quick decisions
- Unsolicited romantic interest from strangers online
- Claims of emergency situations involving family members
- Promises of unrealistic investment returns
How Webroot can help protect seniors
Modern cybersecurity solutions are essential for protecting seniors online. Webroot’s Total Protection offers multiple layers of protection specifically designed to combat the threats seniors face most.
Antivirus protection: Webroot’s advanced threat detection identifies and blocks malicious websites, phishing attempts, and dangerous downloads before they can cause harm.
Identity protection: Identity, credit, and financial accounts monitoring for fraud, with up $1M in fraud expense and stolen funds reimbursement.
Dark Web monitoring: This feature monitors personal information and alerts users if their data appears on the dark web or in data breaches.
Secure browsing: Webroot automatically warns users about suspicious websites and blocks access to known scam sites.
Password management: Strong, unique passwords are crucial for online safety, and Webroot’s password manager makes it easy to maintain secure accounts across all devices.
The importance of community awareness
The epidemic of attacks on seniors requires community-wide awareness and action.
Family members should regularly discuss online safety with senior relatives, helping them understand current scam tactics without creating fear or limiting their digital independence. Community organizations, libraries, and senior centers host educational workshops about cybersecurity and scam prevention. Seniors should check local events to learn more.
Moving forward safely
The digital world offers tremendous benefits for seniors, from staying connected with family to accessing healthcare and financial services online. The goal The goal for seniors isn’t to avoid technology but to use it safely and confidently.
By combining awareness, education, and robust cybersecurity tools like Webroot, seniors can enjoy the advantages of modern technology while staying protected from those who would exploit their trust and generosity. When something seems too good to be true or creates a sense of urgency, seniors should take time to verify information and consult with trusted family members or friends.
The fight against elder fraud requires vigilance from entire communities, but with the right tools and knowledge, families and communities can help protect their most vulnerable members from these devastating crimes.
Additional resources:
AARP 2025 fraud and scams survey
The post Senior scams topped $4.8 billion in 2024: What to watch out for appeared first on Webroot Blog.
