Common scams
Learn about common scams targeting your personal information and money. Plus, try our Scam Identifier Tool to learn more how you can protect yourself.
Am I being scammed?
It’s often difficult to tell the difference between a scam and an urgent request or a new opportunity. This tool will help you to determine whether or not you’re being targeted by a common scam and guide you to more information as to how to spot and avoid everyday scams.
Common scams targeting seniors and older adults
Emergency scam
Emergency scams prey on your fear of a loved one being hurt or in trouble. Scammers claim to be someone close to you, often a family member or close friend, telling you that they need money urgently. Grandparents are a particularly vulnerable demographic that are frequently targeted by this scam, so it is also commonly referred to as the ‘Grandparent scam.’
Scammers pretend to be a grandchild, or loved one, begging them not to tell anyone -specifically their parents - that they’re in trouble and need money. Grandparents are often quick to help, so they’ll send money to a fraudulent account owned by the scammer, and they won’t find out until it’s too late that the money never made it to its intended recipient. Parents and other close friends can also very easily fall for this scam.
Recognize it
Fraudsters exploit vulnerability and the desire to care for family and friends, to get you to send money fast.
Reject it
Don’t feel pressure. Verify the story by calling another family member or friend.
Report an incident or suspicious activity