Telephone Scams: These include fake charity calls, lottery scams, and impersonation of IRS or Social Security officials demanding money or personal information.
Internet and Email Scams: Phishing emails pretending to be from legitimate companies can trick seniors into providing personal information.
Investment Scams: Offers of high-return investments with little or no risk can be appealing but are often fraudulent.
Grandparent Scams: The scammer pretends to be a grandchild in trouble, asking for money to be sent urgently.
Funeral and Cemetery Scams: Scammers may read obituaries and exploit grieving widows or widowers by claiming the deceased had outstanding debts with them.
Sweepstakes & Lottery Scams: Seniors receive notifications that they’ve won a lottery or sweepstakes but must pay a fee to claim the winnings.
Home Repair Scams: Scammers take advantage of seniors by offering unnecessary home repairs, then providing shoddy work or none at all after payment.
Identity Theft: Personal information is stolen to make fraudulent purchases or open accounts in the senior’s name.
Charity Scams: Scammers take advantage of seniors' generosity by soliciting donations for fake charities, especially after natural disasters or during holiday seasons.