Scam Alerts
Protecting adults 50+ from fraud and scams
Grandparent Phone Scam
Scammers are calling grandparents pretending to be their grandchild in serious trouble — often claiming they have been in a car accident, arrested, or stranded in another country. The caller sounds panicked and begs you not to tell anyone else in the family. They then ask for money to be sent immediately via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
These calls often come late at night to catch victims off guard. The scammer may already know the grandchild's name from social media, making the call seem more convincing.
How to Protect Yourself
- Always verify by calling your grandchild directly on their known phone number
- Never send money based on a phone call alone — no matter how urgent it sounds
- Ask a personal question only the real grandchild would know
- Do not trust caller ID — scammers can spoof phone numbers
- Tell a family member before taking any action
- Report suspicious calls to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
More Scams to Watch For
Medicare Scam Calls
Callers claim to be from Medicare, offering new cards or threatening to cancel your coverage unless you "verify" your information. They are trying to steal your Medicare number, Social Security number, and other personal details to commit identity theft or file fraudulent claims.
How to Protect Yourself
- Medicare will never call you unsolicited to ask for your personal information
- Never give your Medicare number to anyone who contacts you by phone, email, or in person
- If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) directly
- Report Medicare fraud to the HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS
Fake Tech Support
Pop-up warnings appear on your computer claiming it is infected with a virus, or you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, or your internet provider. They ask for remote access to your computer or demand payment to "fix" problems that don't exist. Once they have access, they can steal personal data or install actual malware.
How to Protect Yourself
- Legitimate tech companies will never call you unsolicited about computer problems
- Never give remote access to your computer to someone who contacts you first
- Close pop-up warnings by pressing Ctrl+W or restarting your browser — do not click on them
- If you need tech support, contact the company directly using the number on their official website
Social Security Suspension Scam
You receive a call or voicemail claiming your Social Security number has been "suspended" due to suspicious activity or a crime linked to your name. The caller threatens arrest, legal action, or benefit cancellation unless you immediately verify your information or make a payment.
How to Protect Yourself
- The Social Security Administration will never threaten you with arrest or demand immediate payment
- Your Social Security number cannot be "suspended" — this is always a scam
- Hang up immediately and report the call to the SSA Office of Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271
- Never pay anyone via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to "protect" your SSN