GOAL: Get Older Adults onLine

Stay Safe

Beat the scammers at their own game

Practical tips and trusted resources to help older adults protect their money, identity and peace of mind online.

Why it matters

Fraud against older adults is vastly under-reported

While we are all more informed and aware about fraud, the scammers are unfortunately two steps ahead of us and have fine-tuned their craft to employ new methods and technologies to snare even the most skeptical consumers into their fraudulent schemes. It is now more important than ever to employ best practices to beat back the scammers at their own game, hold onto your hard-earned dollars, and report any incidences of fraud.

“This news story from last month reveals how scary scams are for all of us, particularly older individuals.”
Debra Berlyn, Read “Online Scams and Older Adults” on Broadband Breakfast
$1.9Blost to scams and fraud by adults 60+ in 2023, as reported to the FTC
$61.5Bestimated true cost, since most fraud against older adults goes unreported

Source: FTC, Protecting Older Consumers report (Oct 2024)

Protect yourself

5 tips to stay safe from scams and fraud

  1. Employ healthy skepticism

    Look carefully at every unsolicited text and email that you receive and double-check the source. Your financial institutions, government agencies, retailers, and other businesses won’t contact you by text or email to request personal information without your prior knowledge and consent.

  2. Maintain a list of purchases

    During a busy online shopping season, keep a list of each purchase and the online retailer, so you can double-check if there are any questions about the receipt and shipment of your purchase.

  3. Know online shopping best practices

    Get a refresher on the basics of safe online purchasing. Always use a credit card for your purchases, and don’t click on or open a suspicious link, particularly emails from a “friend” with messages like, “hey, check out this great photo!”

  4. Stay aware of the latest scams

    Stay current with the latest scams from sources such as the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission. See the resources below.

  5. Report, report, report!

    You are not alone, there is no shame in getting scammed, and it happens to even the most savvy consumers. Law enforcement needs reports of every scam, regardless of the type or the amount lost, to help break these networks. Every scam is a crime.

    Report fraud to the FTC

Learn more

Resources, tips and tools