Protect Yourself from Scams! What Older Adults Should Know
- Amoskeag Health
- May 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 12
By: Amoskeag Health
May 27, 2025
Scammers are constantly coming up with new ways to trick people. They want your money, your personal information, or both, and they often pretend to be someone you trust to get it. Older adults are targeted more often than others because scammers believe they are more likely to answer the phone, trust authority figures, or feel rushed to respond. One of the biggest ways scammers try to fool older adults is through fake Medicare or Medicaid calls. These scams can sound very real, but they are designed to steal your information or charge you for things you do not need.
The good news is that you can protect yourself. When you know the signs of a scam, it is easier to spot a lie and stop it before it causes harm. Learning what to watch for and the common scams that are used can help keep yourself, your money, and your personal information safe.
Medicare and Medicaid Scams
Some scammers pretend to be from Medicare or Medicaid. They may ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank account information. They might say things like:
You need a new Medicare card and must confirm your number
You have to pay a fee to keep your benefits
They can send you free medical equipment if you just give them your Medicare number
How to stay safe:
Medicare will not call or text you without warning
Do not share your Medicare number over the phone or online
If you are not sure if it’s a scam, hang up and call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
EZ Pass Scam
You might get a text message that says you owe money for unpaid tolls that includes a link. That link could lead to a fake website that steals your personal and payment information.
How to stay safe:
Do not click on any links in surprise messages about EZ Pass
Go directly to the EZ Pass website or call their customer service
Delete any messages that seem suspicious
Grandparent Scam
A scammer may pretend to be your grandchild in trouble. They may say they were in an accident or got arrested and need money right away. Sometimes scammers can make the call appear as if it’s coming from a familiar phone number.
How to stay safe:
Hang up and call your grandchild or another family member to check
Never send money or gift cards to someone you do not know
Tech Support Scam
You may get a phone call or a pop-up message saying your computer has a virus. The scammer offers to fix it if you give them remote access or pay a fee.
How to stay safe:
Do not click on pop-ups or links from unknown sources
If you need help with your computer, call someone you trust or a well-known tech company
Fake Charity Scam
Scammers ask for donations to fake charities, especially after disasters or during the holidays.
How to stay safe:
Check if the charity is real by going to CharityNavigator.org or Give.org
Do not donate using gift cards, wire transfers, or cash
Sweepstakes or Prize Scam
You are told you won a prize, but you have to pay a fee or taxes before you can claim it.
How to stay safe:
If you did not enter a contest, you did not win
Real sweepstakes will not ask for money up front
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is
Avoid Being Scammed!
Be careful with unexpected calls, emails, or texts.
Do not share personal information like your Social Security number or bank account by phone or email.
Talk to someone you trust if you are unsure about something.
Take your time. Do not feel pressured to act quickly. Scammers rely on people acting before they have time to think about what is happening.
Use strong passwords and do not reuse them. Use a password keeper to make it easier to remember these passwords instead of using the same one.
Sign up for scam alerts from the Federal Trade Commission or AARP Fraud Watch Network.
Shred papers that include personal or financial information before throwing them away.
Hang up on robocalls. If a message tells you to press a number to talk to someone, just hang up. Better yet, let calls from unknown numbers go to voicemail or the answering machine.
Be careful about information you give out on social media. Some posts ask people to comment if they remember the name of their first-grade teacher. These can be fun trips down memory lane but are also answers to commonly used security questions.
If You Think You Have Been Scammed
Stop all contact with the scammer.
Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
Tell someone you trust, like a family member or friend.
