Jun 7, 2026
From AI deepfakes to fake captcha “I am not a robot” boxes, fraudsters have become pretty advanced. However, older Americans are still falling for the well-known, tried-and-true scams we’ve heard about for years: robocalls, computer support scams, and calls claiming they’ve won a sweepstakes or lottery.
An 85-year-old woman from Coconut Creek, Fla. recently fell victim to this last scam: believing she had won millions of dollars, but she had to send money to others first.
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“We got a couple of calls today from your son and your daughter,” a policeman said to the woman, as captured on body camera footage. “You’re supposedly going to give money to somebody today?”
“No, I’m supposed to get money today,” she responded, according to reporting from NBC 6 South Florida.
The police found that the woman had already sent $3,500 to people in different states and was planning to meet someone in person to give them more cash. But she believed she would ultimately win $7 million and a car.
Police, the FBI, and financial institutions have been warning older Americans about these types of scams for years. So, why do people keep falling for them?
Why seniors are common targets for scammers
Sure, there are common reasons we think of seniors as being more likely to be defrauded: they might struggle to understand newer technology, or they’re a more trusting generation, according to the National Cybersecurity Alliance. But plenty of other factors drive scammers to target older Americans.
“Police are saying that this is called the ‘lonely scam’ because they target the elderly ... who may be alone and be more vulnerable and want to talk to anybody on the phone, before they convince them to give up their money,” NBC 6 News reporter Lena Salzbank said.
Loneliness is indeed a typical reason fraudsters target elderly people, and not just because the victims are eager to talk with anyone who calls. Isolation often means they don’t have an immediate support network available to help them identify a scam, according to Psychology Today.
Fraudsters also assume that older Americans have had time to accumulate wealth through retirement accounts and savings. They try to get cash from those who have money to spare, often playing the long game to receive small amounts incrementally over time.
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Cognitive decline plays a major role
There’s another reason scammers target the elderly population, and it could be a main culprit for why seniors keep falling for these scams: cognitive decline.
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Many older people take medicine that affects their mental capabilities and judgment. Antiseizure medication, sleeping pills, and painkillers have been tied to memory loss and cognitive issues.
Some seniors have also suffered from strokes, brain injuries, cognitive impairment, or dementia. Family members may have warned them about scams, but that won’t be helpful if they can’t recall those conversations. Or, they might forget that they have already talked to and given money to a fraudster who regularly calls them.
How to help your aging loved ones avoid scams
You can use several strategies to help your aging parents or grandparents spot scams before they lose money. The first step is to talk with them before anything happens. Tell them about common schemes. Advise them not to pick up the phone if they don’t recognize the number and to not give out any personal information to someone they don’t know, Duke Credit Union advises.
Offer to act as their support system. If they’re suspicious that an email or phone call seems fishy, let them know they can call you for a second opinion.
But what about the seniors in your life who are suffering from cognitive decline? How can you help them if they won’t even remember these conversations, or if they don’t realize they’re being defrauded once they’re in the middle of a situation?
If you’re up to the task, consider taking on the role of monitoring their financial activity. You could sign up for automatic notifications when they withdraw money from their bank account, and ask for electronic bank and credit card statements so you can review their transactions, the Social Security Administration suggests.
Unless you have a joint account, your loved one will need to contact their financial institution to grant you access to these updates. You could also act as their legal power of attorney to take over their finances. Seniors need to have the presence of mind to hand over these responsibilities, though. If they are beyond that point, you’ll probably have to fight for legal guardianship, Elder Care Alliance says.
Everyone’s situation is different. If you’re at a loss for the best way to move forward, consult a financial advisor or other certified financial professional who can give you personalized advice for keeping your aging family members safe from scammers.
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Laura Grace Tarpley is a contributing reporter for Moneywise who has been covering personal finance and working in digital media for 10 years. Her expertise spans banking, investing, retirement, loans, mortgages, and taxes.
