{"id":355749,"date":"2019-07-26T11:17:03","date_gmt":"2019-07-26T16:17:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/elder\/elder-care-law\/crimes-against-the-elderly-email-scams-and-telemarketing-fraud.html"},"modified":"2026-07-02T20:25:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T01:25:00","slug":"crimes-against-the-elderly-email-scams-and-telemarketing-fraud","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/elder\/elder-care-law\/crimes-against-the-elderly-email-scams-and-telemarketing-fraud.html","title":{"rendered":"Crimes Against the Elderly: Scams and Fraud"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Crimes Against Older Adults: Scams and Fraud<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Older adults are frequent scam targets because scammers exploit isolation, trust, and gaps in digital literacy, often using impersonation, urgency, or fear to make fraud seem legitimate. When seniors share money or personal information, the consequences can include identity theft and significant financial loss.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Many scams have become so sophisticated that they look, sound, and feel exactly like the company you believe you are dealing with. Even tech-savvy people can fall for these scams. Scammers have been known to supply law enforcement badge numbers and threaten jail time or financial exploitation if you do not cooperate.<\/p>\n

There are\u00a0psychological reasons why scams work<\/a>. Often, victims of fraud want the scam to be true. From winning a prize to trying to avoid a crime, many people will follow orders if they believe it helps them. Unfortunately, these scams often target vulnerable people, especially senior citizens, who scammers see as easy targets.<\/p>\n

But you can help prevent your loved one from being taken advantage of. Spotting red flags early and stepping in when they seem confused, pressured, or excited about a recent contact attempt is key to preventing financial harm. If an elderly loved one has already fallen for a scam, report it immediately. Act quickly to shut down unauthorized accounts, challenge fraudulent charges, and protect sensitive information. You can also contact an attorney<\/a> for legal help.<\/p>\n

This article discusses scams and fraud that target older adults. You’ll also learn warning signs to watch for, legal protections, how to report a scam, and more.<\/p>\n

Why Scammers Target Older Adults<\/h2>\n

Scammers often are trained to\u00a0target older adults<\/a>\u00a0because they can be:<\/p>\n