The scams that cost older Americans, including New Yorkers, the most are impersonation (someone posing as a bank, a government agency or Medicare), investment and crypto schemes, tech support, romance, grandparent and prize scams. They follow one pattern: a call, text or message that creates urgency, asks for secrecy and demands payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency. If a contact does that, hang up, check using a phone number you already know, and tell someone you trust.
How common are scams against older adults, and how much do they cost?
In 2024, people 60 and older filed 421,031 fraud reports that included age information with the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel network. A total of 109,580 reported losing money, nearly $2.4 billion in all, up from about $1.9 billion in 2023, says the FTC’s Protecting Older Consumers 2024-2025 report (1 December 2025).
The FBI’s 2025 IC3 Annual Report has a section on people 60 and older: 201,266 complaints, $7.748 billion in losses and an average loss of $38,500. For New York it lists 8,537 complaints (fifth among the states) and about $408.7 million in losses (fourth). The agencies count different data in different years, so do not add their totals.
Which scams target seniors in New York, and what should you do about each?
The types below come from the FTC, the New York Attorney General, NYC Aging and the state Department of Public Service.
| Scam | How it usually works | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Government impersonation (FTC, Social Security, IRS, Medicare) | A call, text or email threatens arrest or loss of benefits and demands money or personal information. The FTC says agencies never contact you this way. | Hang up. Call the agency on a number you know is correct. |
| Bank or business impersonation | A “security alert” says your account is at risk. The FTC reports victims told to put cash into a Bitcoin ATM to keep it “safe”. | Hang up. Call the number on your card or statement. |
| Grandparent or family emergency | A caller says a relative is in trouble and begs secrecy. Some scammers use AI to copy a voice. | Hang up. Call the relative on a known number, then another relative. |
| Tech support | A pop-up or call claims a virus and asks for remote access or payment. | Hang up or close it. Never allow remote access. |
| Romance | Someone met online soon leaves the app, says they live far away, then asks for money. | Do not send money. Tell someone you trust. |
| Investment and crypto | A social media message promises guaranteed profits. A fake site shows rising gains. | Nothing is guaranteed. Check the seller on Investor.gov. |
| Prize, lottery and fake checks | You “won” but must pay fees first, or you deposit a check and wire part back. | Legitimate contests never ask for money up front, says the AG. The check bounces later. |
| Home repair | A contractor “just passing by” has leftover materials, or a “free inspection” finds a costly problem. | Get written estimates and a written contract. Never pay everything up front. |
| Utility shutoff threats | A caller says power will be cut within minutes unless you pay now by gift card or app. | Hang up. Call the number on your bill. |
| Medicare and health insurance | A caller says you need a new Medicare card or asks for your Medicare number. | Share it only with your doctor and people who should have it. |
The FTC found older adults were five times more likely than younger adults to report losing money to tech support scams and nearly three times more likely on prize and lottery scams. Investment, business impersonation and government impersonation caused the largest reported losses.
What are the red flags that something is a scam?
The New York Attorney General’s Smart Seniors page says scams use a “hook” (money, love or fear), someone who seems trustworthy and a deadline. If an offer will not be around tomorrow, it is likely not legitimate.
NYC Aging’s scam flyer and the FTC list these warning signs:
- Urgency or threats. Act now or face arrest, a closed account or a lost benefit.
- Secrecy. You are told not to involve anyone, or not to call the police.
- Payment by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency or payment app. The FTC says scammers choose these because the money is hard to trace and recover.
- A prize you must pay for, an offer too good to be true, or instructions to move your money somewhere “safe”.
- A trusted-looking caller ID. The AG warns it can be faked to look local.
Does Medicare or Social Security ever call about a problem?
Medicare.gov says Medicare will never call you to sell you anything or visit you at home. It calls for personal information only in limited cases, such as returning your call. Give your Medicare Number only to your doctor and people you know should have it, and do not join a plan by phone unless you called for help. The Social Security Administration’s Inspector General says Social Security will never threaten you with arrest or require payment by gift card, wire transfer or internet currency. Report those scams at oig.ssa.gov.
For suspected Medicare fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or use the HHS Inspector General’s online form. In New York the Senior Medicare Patrol is run by the New York StateWide Senior Action Council, 1-800-333-4374, per the NYS Office for the Aging’s 2026 HIICAP notebook. That differs from HIICAP, the state’s free Medicare counseling line, 1-800-701-0501 (shiphelp.org).
What should you do if you or a parent paid a scammer?
Act fast. The FTC says “the sooner you act, the better,” whatever the payment method.
- Stop all contact. Send nothing more.
- Call the company that moved the money (table below). Say a scammer tricked you and ask for a reversal.
- Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357, and to the FBI at ic3.gov.
- File a police report. NYC Aging says a police report may let you seek some reimbursement from the NYS Office of Victim Services.
- Tell the state. Call the Attorney General’s Help Line, 1-800-771-7755.
- Protect your credit. Get free reports at annualcreditreport.com or 1-877-322-8228 and consider a freeze.
- If someone close took the money, treat it as possible abuse. See our guide to elder abuse in New York.
| How the money was sent | Who to contact first (per the FTC) |
|---|---|
| Bank transfer, Zelle or debit card | Your bank or credit union, immediately. Ask to reverse the payment. |
| Credit card | The card issuer, using the number on the back of the card. |
| Gift card | The gift card company. Say a scammer got the number and PIN. Keep the card and receipt. |
| Wire transfer | The wire transfer company. Ask for a refund. |
| Cryptocurrency or Bitcoin ATM | The exchange or ATM operator. Say it was fraud and ask for a reversal. |
Who can you call for help in New York?
| Who | What they offer | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| NYS Division of Consumer Protection | Complaints and scam guidance, weekdays 8:30 am to 4:30 pm | (800) 697-1220 |
| NYC Aging, Aging Connect | Links you to its C-PASS program for scams and theft | 212-244-6469 |
| NY Connects | Free information on services for older adults | 1-800-342-9871 |
| National Elder Fraud Hotline (US Department of Justice) | A case manager for people 60+, weekdays 10 am to 6 pm ET | 833-372-8311 |
| AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline | Guidance and support, not investigation or recovery, weekdays 8 am to 8 pm ET | 877-908-3360 |
| Adult Protective Services | Suspected abuse or exploitation, weekdays 8:30 am to 8 pm | 1-844-697-3505 |
The Justice Department hotline warns that scammers pretend to be its staff. New Yorkers can also call 311 for the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s “Consumer Tips for Seniors.”
How can you protect accounts and phones?
- Freeze your credit. It is free. Per the FTC, you contact all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). While it is on, nobody can open a new credit account in your name, including you, and you can lift it temporarily.
- Read statements monthly. The AG advises watching for charges you did not make.
- Block calls. The FTC suggests call-blocking apps, your phone’s built-in blocking and Do Not Disturb hours, your carrier’s tools, or a call-blocking box for a landline. The Do Not Call Registry stops legitimate sales calls, not scammers.
- Verify family emergencies. Hang up, call the relative on a number you know, and call another relative. If you cannot hang up, ask a question only the real person would know. A family code word is a common extra step (our suggestion, not an FTC rule).
For the physical side of safety at home, see our home safety checklist for seniors.
How can you help a parent without making them feel ashamed?
Many scams work because victims are told to keep quiet, so your reaction decides whether your parent calls you next time. The AG’s advice is to “be a friend” and talk about it if you suspect a scam.
What tends to work:
- Say “they target everyone.” About 74% of older adults’ FTC fraud reports involved no loss, so many parents spot scams.
- Ask for one habit, not a lecture. For example, “Call me before you pay anyone who contacted you first.”
- Set up protections together, such as call blocking and the credit freeze.
- Watch for money signs. The AG lists sudden financial changes, unpaid bills, missing items and out-of-character spending.
- Keep them connected. The AG lists social isolation as a risk factor. See loneliness and mental health for seniors in NYC.
Can a power of attorney protect against scams, or be misused?
Both. The AG says an agent should be someone you trust completely, you can name a monitor who receives a record of all transactions, and a power of attorney cannot make medical decisions. It also advises revisiting your choice if the agent faces a crisis such as a job loss or substance-abuse problem. See our guides to power of attorney and guardianship, who can override a power of attorney and preventing financial abuse with a power of attorney. Ask an elder law attorney about your own documents.
How do you hire a caregiver safely?
The AG lists sudden financial changes and missing items among the signs of exploitation. A few checks lower the risk:
- Check the agency in the Department of Health’s home care directory. Our guide to choosing an agency lists what to ask.
- Check the aide in the Home Care Registry (how to check it). The DOH FAQ says it is only a snapshot, and aides who worked only as private duty were never reviewed by the Department.
- Ask about background checks. See home care aide background checks and private caregiver versus agency.
- Keep control of money. Do not share ATM cards, PINs or online banking logins, and keep checkbooks and valuables out of sight (practical advice, not a legal rule).
Choosing care for a parent at risk: advice from our nurse director
Anna Klyauzova, RN, MSN, MPA, Director of Patient Services at ProLife Home Care, on what she sees in practice:
Three things separate a good agency. First, RN supervision: a care plan is only useful if someone keeps checking it against the patient’s current condition. Second, matching: an HHA or PCA should fit on language, schedule, location and experience with the person’s needs, not only on certification. Third, replacement: if an aide isn’t right or can’t make a shift, the family should know exactly whom to call.
We are a licensed home care agency in Brooklyn and Queens, licence #2572L001, New York State Department of Health. We can talk through home care options for your family. Call (718) 232-2777 or use our contact page.
Scam tactics and phone numbers change. Everything above was checked on 16 October 2026 against ftc.gov, ic3.gov, ag.ny.gov, aging.ny.gov, nyc.gov, medicare.gov, oig.ssa.gov, aarp.org and health.ny.gov. FTC and IC3 figures are older-adult reports for 2024 and 2025, and the state utility alert behind the shutoff row dates from 2020. Confirm any number on the official site before relying on it. This page is general information, not legal or financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common scams targeting seniors in New York?
Impersonation (government, bank, Medicare), investment and crypto, tech support, romance, grandparent, prize and lottery, home repair and utility shutoff scams. In the FTC’s 2024 data, investment, business impersonation and government impersonation caused the largest reported losses among older adults.
How can I tell if a call is a scam?
Look for urgency, secrecy, a threat and a demand for payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency. The FTC says government agencies never call, email or text to ask for money or personal information. Hang up and call the organization on a number you know is correct.
Will Medicare call me about a new card or ask for my Medicare number?
Medicare.gov says Medicare will never call you to sell you anything or visit you at home. Give your Medicare Number only to your doctor and people you know should have it, and report suspicious calls to 1-800-MEDICARE.
What should I do right after I realize I was scammed?
Stop contact, then call the bank, card issuer, wire company or gift card company that handled the payment and ask for a reversal. Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357, and to the police.
Can I get my money back after a scam?
Sometimes, but not often. The FTC says gift card, wire and crypto payments are hard to recover, though banks and card issuers can reverse some payments, so call them first. A police report may let you seek some reimbursement from the NYS Office of Victim Services.
How do I protect my elderly parent from scammers?
Set up call blocking and a credit freeze, review statements together and agree on a habit such as calling you before paying anyone. Stay calm if something happens so your parent keeps telling you. A family code word for emergency calls can help.
Who do I call in New York to report elder fraud?
The FTC (1-877-382-4357), the Attorney General’s Help Line (1-800-771-7755), local police and, in New York City, NYC Aging’s Aging Connect (212-244-6469). The National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) assigns a case manager to people 60 and older. Call Adult Protective Services (1-844-697-3505) if a trusted person is taking the money.
