Phone scams: the calls most often aimed at older adults

Why do scammers still use phone calls?

Texts and emails get most of the headlines, but the phone call remains one of the most damaging ways scammers reach older adults. When the FTC studied reports from older adults who lost $10,000 or more to a business or government impostor in 2024, 41% said the scam started with a phone call. A live voice can build trust, create panic and keep you on the line — and caller ID can be faked to make the call look legitimate.

The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report found that call-center fraud — tech support and government impersonation scams run from illegal call centers — produced more than 80,000 complaints and over $2.9 billion in losses in a single year.

What are the warning signs of a scam call?

The clearest signs are a prize you must pay for, threats, pressure to act now, an unusual way to pay, and requests for personal information. The FTC says nearly every phone scam shows at least one of these signs:

• A prize you have to pay for. “If you have to pay to get the prize, it’s not a prize.”
• Threats. Callers posing as law enforcement or federal agencies threaten arrest, fines or deportation to force immediate payment. Real agencies won’t call to threaten you.
• Pressure. Honest businesses give you time to decide. Scammers push you to decide on the spot.
• Unusual payment. Wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency and payment apps. “Anyone who insists that you can only pay that way is a scammer.”
• Requests for sensitive information. Government agencies don’t call out of the blue asking for information like your Social Security number.
• Unwanted sales robocalls. Companies need your written permission to robocall you to sell something.

Which phone scams target older adults most?

Impostor calls

The caller pretends to be someone you trust: a government agency, a family member, a romantic interest, or a company you recognize — like a tech company warning about a computer problem. Caller ID may be faked. Read more:

• Government impostor scams — the FTC, IRS, Social Security, Medicare and “federal agents”
• Social Security scams
• What to do when “Medicare” calls
• Tech support scams
• Fake bank fraud alerts

“Grandparent” and family emergency calls

A panicked “grandchild” needs money for bail or a hospital — now sometimes with a voice copied by AI. Hang up and call your relative back on the number you already have. See AI scams: voice cloning and your family.

EXAMPLE — SCAM

Today 11:47 PM●●● ▮

Incoming call Unknown caller

Caller: Grandpa? It’s me. Please don’t be mad. I got arrested and I need you to help me with bail.

Caller: Please don’t tell Mom. My public defender will call you in five minutes with instructions. You’ll need to get cash — they said a courier can pick it up today.

Prize, lottery and sweepstakes calls

You’re told you’ve won — but you have to pay taxes, registration or shipping first. The FTC says the prize doesn’t exist.

Extended car warranty robocalls

Callers use details about your vehicle to sell overpriced or worthless service contracts. Don’t buy anything on the spot.

Debt relief, credit repair and loan offers

Callers promise lower credit card rates, credit repair, student loan forgiveness, or guaranteed loans — in exchange for an upfront fee. The FTC says honest lenders don’t guarantee loans or charge “advance fees” like this.

Investment and business pitches

Callers offer business coaching or guaranteed investment profits, often in cryptocurrency. The FTC suggests checking any opportunity with your state securities regulator. See trading scam red flags.

Charity calls

Fake charities ask for donations for disaster relief, police or veterans, or families affected by illness. Ask how much of your gift goes to the mission, and check out the charity before you give.

“Free” trial offers

You’re signed up for a product that bills you every month until you cancel. Read the terms and watch your statements.

Travel and timeshare offers

Free or cheap vacations that come with fees, or offers to resell your timeshare if you pay first.

“One ring” calls

Your phone rings once and stops. The FCC warns this can be a trick to get you to call back an international number that charges connection and per-minute fees. Don’t return calls from numbers you don’t recognize.

What should you do when a scam call comes in?

1. Let unknown calls go to voicemail. The FCC suggests not answering calls from unknown numbers.
2. Hang up as soon as someone asks for money or personal information, or if you feel pressured.
3. Don’t press any numbers on a robocall — not even “to be removed.” The FTC says that may lead to more calls, and the FCC says scammers use it to find targets.
4. Don’t answer questions, especially ones that can be answered “yes” or “no.”
5. Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers can fake any name or number. See caller ID spoofing.
6. Call back on a number you trust — from your statement, the back of your card, or the official website.
7. Set a voicemail password, so no one can spoof your number to get into it.

You don’t owe anyone a conversation. “I’ll call the company myself” — and hanging up — is always the right answer.

How can you get fewer scam calls?

The FTC calls call blocking your best defense, because scammers ignore the Do Not Call Registry. Turn on your carrier’s free tools and your phone’s spam filters — step-by-step settings are in how to stop spam texts and calls. Register your number for free at DoNotCall.gov or 1-888-382-1222 (call from the number you want to register) to stop most legitimate telemarketers. And when a call seems suspicious, use our checklist: is this number a scam?

What if you already paid a phone scammer?

Act fast: the FTC says to contact the company you used to pay — card issuer, bank, wire service (such as Western Union, MoneyGram or Ria), gift card company or payment app — and ask to stop or reverse the payment. If you sent cash by mail, call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455. Be wary of anyone who offers to recover your money: that is often a second scam. See the first-hour checklist, then report the call.

More guides: prize, lottery and sweepstakes scams, utility shutoff scams, jury duty and arrest warrant scams, timeshare resale and exit scams, charity scams and home repair scams.