Protecting Yourself From Elder Fraud
Older adults lose billions to scams each year. The most common ones use fear and urgency.
You're not the only Arizona family navigating this. Hundreds of caregivers and older adults swap real-world advice every week in our free Arizona senior community.
What to know
- 1
No legitimate agency (IRS, Social Security, Medicare) will call to threaten arrest or demand gift cards.
- 2
If a call creates urgency — hang up. Real situations can wait for you to verify.
- 3
'Grandparent scams' impersonate a relative in trouble; always call the relative directly using a known number.
- 4
Set up bank alerts for transactions over a set amount and review statements monthly.
- 5
Report suspected scams to the AZ Attorney General Senior Fraud line and to family — shame keeps scams successful.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a call is a scam?+
Real agencies do not call to threaten arrest, demand gift cards, or pressure you to act in minutes. If a call creates urgency or asks you to keep it secret from family, hang up and call the agency back using a verified number.
What should I do if I think I was scammed?+
Contact your bank immediately, change passwords on affected accounts, and report it to the Arizona Attorney General's Senior Fraud line and the Federal Trade Commission. Tell family — most scams continue when victims feel too ashamed to speak up.
How can families help prevent elder fraud?+
Set up bank alerts, review statements monthly with permission, freeze credit, and talk openly about common scams before they happen so the conversation is not awkward later.
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