08/28/2026
Scammers stole billions from older adults last year — and the people they target are often the ones we love most.
Elder fraud is on the rise, and it usually starts with a single phone call or message. The good news? A little awareness goes a long way, and you can help protect the people who once protected you.
Watch for these red flags:
📈 Investment & Cryptocurrency Schemes — promises of "guaranteed" returns on fake platforms, often starting with work-from-home offers or random texts that slowly build trust. This is the most financially devastating category, costing older adults billions in retirement savings each year.
💻 Tech Support Scams — a fake pop-up or text warns of a virus or hacked account and pressures you to call immediately. Fake agents request remote computer access to steal passwords or charge thousands for services you don't need.
🤖 Grandparent / Family Emergency Scam — a caller pretends to be a grandchild or relative in crisis — an arrest, accident, or medical emergency — and begs for urgent money. Scammers now use AI voice cloning from public social media audio to sound exactly like a loved one.
💔 Romance Scams — fake profiles on dating apps or social media spend months building emotional trust, then invent emergencies or travel needs to ask for large sums of money.
🚨 Recovery Scams — scammers target people who've already lost money, posing as investigators or recovery specialists who can get it back — for an upfront fee. Once paid, they vanish.
Here's the simplest thing you can do: check in.
A regular phone call or visit with an older parent, grandparent, or neighbor makes a real difference. When they feel connected, they're far more likely to pause and ask before acting — and that pause can stop a scam in its tracks. You can be their first line of defense.
Worried about protecting a loved one's finances and future? Connect with Lohman Law to talk through the safeguards that bring real peace of mind. 🔗 https://lohmanlaw.com/contact/
