Helping Mom • Article Series
Modern technology has made scam calls far harder to spot — and aging parents are more vulnerable than ever. Here's how to recognize the threats and keep your loved ones safe with confidence.
Scam calls used to be more obvious to spot, but modern technology has made them more advanced. Scammers can make the calls sound exactly like loved ones, doctors or banks, with just enough information to be believable.
The elderly have always been a target, and now, they are even more vulnerable. If you want to help protect your aging parents against these threats, it's important to be proactive.
Here are some of the scams to be aware of and how to ensure your loved ones can confidently avoid them.
Many scams come through phone calls and texts, like they always have, but there are some new red flags emerging.
One common scenario is receiving a call from a family member, like a child or grandchild, saying they have been in a car accident or need bail money. Scammers make this sound realistic by cloning a voice from seconds of audio pulled from the internet, like social media video. They use that fake voice to demand cash, gift cards or a cryptocurrency transfer. Federal investigators have tracked this exact trick spreading fast enough to warrant a consumer warning.
Tech support scams follow a similar script, just with a computer instead of a phone call. A pop-up warns that a device has a virus and pushes an urgent call to "Microsoft support." When the number is called, a scammer will install remote access software or try to sell you fake protection. Tech support fraud remains one of the most reported scams affecting people over 60.
The Cost Is Real
Older adults reported $4.885 billion in losses tied to elder fraud in 2024 alone, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Another approach scammers may take is to create fake social media profiles. They may send friend requests claiming to be an old classmate or someone with shared interests to build trust, only to ask for money later on.
Some schemes target older adults based on their financial or housing situation through foreclosure scams, equity theft or contractor fraud, pushing them into reverse mortgages or loans they can't afford.
When you talk to your parents about these concerns, remember to treat them with respect. While they may be more vulnerable to cyber threats, you should not assume that they are incapable of spotting scams on their own.
Start by asking if they have heard about any of these scams. Local news stations often cover scams reported in the area, so they may already be aware of it. From there, you can have a more productive conversation about common red flags and strategies. Meet them where they are rather than assuming they know nothing about it.
Always talk about actionable steps to avoid these threats. Here are some quick but effective tips:
Along with these conversations, there are safeguards you can put in place to reduce the risk further.
If your parents are not as tech savvy, walk them through how to spot warning signs on their phone. Show them where to see a contact's phone number or email address and how to block a contact.
With bank accounts, you can set up transaction alerts, which send a text every time a purchase is made. These notifications can ensure your parent can spot any fraudulent activity right away.
If you have a parent struggling with memory loss, you may consider having alerts go to your phone number to keep track of their spending, but be cautious about overstepping. When discussing this option, you should emphasize that this is not about controlling their spending. Instead, assure them that you will only question charges that seem suspicious, like unusually large amounts. Frame this strategy as a way to quickly identify fraud, and not a way to surveil their daily habits.
Some banks may also have resources or strategies in place to help protect against fraud. For example, a recent law passed in Colorado aims to give financial institutions the ability to interrupt transactions that may be fraud. This law comes after a reported 4,000 instances of fraud totaling $145 million in the state in 2025.
Take time to research your state's legislation, or contact your family's bank to learn about what actions they can take in the event of a scam. In many situations, people can feel hopeless after they've lost money, like it's not worth trying to pursue justice. However, if you know the correct steps to take, you may be able to act fast and stop the transaction.
Also, have your parents set up two-factor authentication for important accounts, like banks, social media, payment apps and anything else with sensitive information. If they ever accidentally give their login details to a bad actor, 2FA will block someone else from logging in. If you don't have protections set up on your own accounts, this can be the perfect opportunity to sit down and do it together. That way, you can show your parent that scams can impact anyone, and we all need to be prepared.
Here's a short list to work through together:
National Elder Fraud Hotline
Save this number in your parents' phones today. Help is available from the U.S. Department of Justice for anyone who has been a victim of elder fraud.
Call 833-372-8311Scammers keep getting better at sounding real, but there are ways to make sure your family is protected. Start with a nonjudgmental conversation with your aging parents, and always approach the situation with care instead of control.
The goal isn't to scare anyone — it's to build confidence, one conversation and one safeguard at a time.
About the Author
Cora Gold is a freelance writer and the editor of women's lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. She writes about multigenerational family life, including home tips, travel, family finance and more.