Scam Alerts: what's targeting retirees right now
Last updated: October 2026.
Scams change fast. Here are the scams that official sources are warning about now, in plain words, with a link to each source so you can read it yourself.
By the numbers
In 2025, people age 60 and older reported to the FBI:
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), 2025 Elder Fraud Report and FBI news story. Fake emails and texts (phishing) were the most common complaint.
A retiree's email was hacked, and it sent a strange link to everyone they know
This happened in our community. A scammer got into a retiree's email account and sent a short message with a link to everyone in the address book. Because it came from a real friend's address, people trusted it.
How to spot it
- An email from someone you know, but it's unexpected, very short, or doesn't sound like them.
- Vague words like "Check this out," "I shared a document with you," or "Please see the attached."
- It wants you to tap a link, open a file, or sign in to see something.
Why you shouldn't click
The link can lead to a fake sign-in page that steals your password, or it can put harmful software on your device. Then the scammer can take over your email and do the same thing to your friends. If you're not sure, call your friend on a number you already know and ask if they sent it.
If it's your email that was hacked: what to do
Signs: friends say they got messages you didn't send, there are emails in your Sent folder you didn't write, or you can't sign in.
- Change your password from a trusted device. Use your own computer, iPad, or phone, and go to your email the usual way, not through a link in a message. Pick a new, strong password you don't use anywhere else. If you used the old password on other accounts, change those too.
- Turn on 2-Step Verification. It means a scammer needs more than your password to get in. For Gmail, see Google's 2-Step Verification help. Other email services have a similar setting in their help pages.
- Check your forwarding and filters. Scammers sometimes set your email to secretly send copies to them, or hide replies. In Gmail on a computer, open Settings, then See all settings, and look at the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab, and at your filters. Turn off forwarding and remove any filter you didn't set up. (Gmail forwarding help) Also check that the recovery phone number and email on your account are yours.
- Warn your contacts. Send a new message, or call, and say: "My email was hacked. Please don't click the link I seemed to send you. Delete it."
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you typed a bank or card number anywhere, call your bank right away.
Source: FTC: How to recover your hacked email or social media account.
Want a calm second opinion? You can paste a suspicious message (with your personal details removed) into your own Grok Bot app. See an example.
Other scams to watch for now
Fake "fraud alert" from your bank
What it looks like
- A call or text that seems to come from your own bank, saying there's suspicious activity.
- They may know real details about you and your account.
- They ask for the code texted to your phone, or tell you to move money to keep it "safe": by wire, a payment app, or cash into a cryptocurrency machine.
What to do
- Never share a code sent to your phone. Your bank won't ask for it.
- Hang up. Call the number on the back of your card, or check your account in the bank's own app.
- A real bank will never tell you to move your money to protect it.
Fake government officials: the FTC, Social Security, or police
What it looks like
- A caller says your phone number or Social Security number was used in a crime, and threatens to cut off your phone or arrest you.
- They read a "badge number," may text a photo of an ID, or use a real employee's name.
- They "transfer" you to Social Security, the Inspector General, or the police, tell you to keep it secret, and ask for money or personal details.
What to do
- Hang up. Don't press any numbers.
- The FTC will never threaten to disconnect your phone or ask you to send money. Calls that get "transferred" to Social Security or its Inspector General are a scam, every time.
- Call Social Security yourself at 1-800-772-1213. Report it at oig.ssa.gov/report or ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Source: FTC, October 22, 2026; SSA Inspector General, July 29, 2026; SSA Inspector General, April 28, 2026
Fake "Social Security statement" emails
What it looks like
- An email that looks like it's from Social Security, saying your statement is ready.
- It has a link or an attachment to "view your statement."
What to do
- Don't click the link or open the attachment.
- To see your real statement, type ssa.gov/myaccount into your web browser yourself.
- Delete the email. If you clicked, change your passwords.
Fake product recall or refund messages
What it looks like
- A text or email says something you bought was recalled, and offers a refund or replacement.
- It asks you to tap a link and pay a small "shipping fee" or enter your card.
What to do
- Don't tap the link.
- Check real recalls yourself at CPSC.gov/Recalls, or on the store's own website.
- Not sure? Call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360.
Source: AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Computer pop-ups and fake "renewal" bills
What it looks like
- A pop-up on your screen says your computer is infected and tells you to call a number.
- Or an email "invoice" says you were charged for an antivirus or tech support renewal, with names like Geek Squad, McAfee, or Norton.
- The "helper" may ask to get into your computer, or pass you to a fake government agent who says to move your money to "protect it."
What to do
- Don't call the number. Real security warnings never ask you to call.
- Close the browser, or turn the computer off and on again.
- Never let a stranger into your computer. If you paid or gave a password, call your bank and change your passwords.
Source: FTC: tech support scams. People 60 and older reported over $1 billion lost to tech support scams in 2025 (FBI IC3).
Online sweethearts and "investment" friends
What it looks like
- Someone new you meet on social media, a dating app, or by a "wrong number" text becomes a close friend or sweetheart.
- They can't meet in person, then ask for money, or talk you into investing in cryptocurrency.
- A website shows big "profits," but you have to pay more to take money out.
What to do
- Never send money or crypto to someone you've only met online.
- Talk it over with someone you trust before you invest.
- If it's a scam, stop contact, save the messages, call your bank, and report it at IC3.gov.
Source: AARP, February 3, 2026. Investment scams caused the biggest losses for people 60 and older in 2025: $3.5 billion (FBI IC3).
Cash pickups at your door and Bitcoin machines
What it looks like
- Someone tells you to take out cash, or buy gold, to "protect" it or pay a fine.
- A "courier" comes to your home to pick it up, sometimes with a code word or a dollar bill serial number.
- Or you're told to feed cash into a Bitcoin or crypto machine at a store.
What to do
- No real bank, government agency, or business sends a courier for your cash, or asks you to use a Bitcoin machine.
- Don't give out your home address or meet anyone to hand over money.
- Hang up and call someone you trust. Report it at IC3.gov.
Source: FBI IC3 public warning, June 2026; FTC: Bitcoin ATMs
Where to get help and report
| Report a scam to the FTC | ReportFraud.ftc.gov |
| Report online fraud to the FBI | IC3.gov |
| Social Security scams | oig.ssa.gov/report |
| National Elder Fraud Hotline (age 60+) | 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311) Mon to Fri, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern |
| AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline (free for anyone) | 877-908-3360 Mon to Fri, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern |
| Scam text messages | Forward to 7726 (SPAM) |
| Emergency, or someone is at your door | 911 |
More warning signs: Protect yourself from scams and our printable checklist.
Where these alerts come from
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) consumer alerts
- FBI IC3 2025 Elder Fraud Report
- AARP Fraud Watch Network
- Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG) scam alerts
We check these sources and update this page from time to time. We don't name people who were targeted.