Why Scammers Target Seniors — And What We Can Do About It

Elder fraud is a growing concern in the U.S. According to IC3 (a division of the FBI), victims over the age of 60 reported losing $4.8 billion to scammers in 2024. That amount represented a 43 percent increase over losses reported in 2023.

The increase is no accident. Scammers don’t just stumble onto older victims—they deliberately seek them out. The tactics vary: phone calls, phishing emails, fake sweepstakes, romance scams, tech support hoaxes, and contractor scams are just a few. But the strategy remains the same—exploit vulnerability.

Understanding why scammers target seniors is the first step toward fighting back. This isn’t about blaming senior victims. It’s about shedding light on the risks so families, caregivers, and seniors themselves can protect against deception. Here’s what makes seniors such attractive targets—and why it’s time to talk openly and honestly about it.

Top Reasons Scammers Target Older Adults

1. Scammers See Seniors as Easy Marks

Let’s start with the blunt truth: many scammers believe seniors are easier to manipulate. This isn’t always true, of course. But the perception is there, and it drives the crime. Criminals think older adults are less likely to recognize fraud, question suspicious activity, or report what’s happened.

Seniors are often seen as more trusting, more polite, and less likely to hang up or delete a message without first listening or responding. Many grew up in a time when people were more inclined to take others at their word. That natural decency—which is a strength in most areas of life—becomes a weakness when facing con artists.

2. Many Seniors Answer Unknown Calls and Emails

Robocalls, fake IRS messages, sketchy “bank alerts”—scammers cast a wide net, but it’s seniors who most often get caught. Why? Because they’re more likely to answer.

Many older adults come from a generation where phone calls were urgent and letters were legitimate. That habit of responding carries over to email and voicemail—even when they’re from unknown or suspicious sources.

Younger generations tend to screen calls, ignore texts from unknown numbers, and treat every email like it could be a scam. Seniors? Not always. And the scammers know that.

3. Scammers Target Seniors Because They Think They’re Gullible

It’s an uncomfortable truth: seniors are often perceived as gullible. That reputation might not be fair, but it fuels the fraud industry. Scam artists target older adults because they think they’ll believe the story. Whether it’s a grandson in trouble, a lottery win, or a tech emergency, scammers spin a tale and expect elder targets to take it at face value.

Add urgency and a dose of fear—classic scammer tools—and even the most skeptical person can get rattled. No one is immune. But scammers bank on seniors reacting emotionally rather than logically.

4. Limited Financial or Investment Knowledge Make Some Seniors Vulnerable

Many seniors don’t have detailed knowledge about finances, especially when it comes to modern investments, online banking, or digital transactions. This is especially true for women who grew up in an era in which men typically handled all family finances.

That lack of financial literacy makes many older adults  more vulnerable to get-rich-quick schemes, fake investment opportunities, or phony charities.

Some older adults rely on fixed incomes and want to make their money last. So when someone offers a high-return, no-risk deal, it can be tempting. It’s not because they’re foolish—it’s because they want to be financially secure. Scammers exploit that hope.

5. The “I’m Too Smart to Be Scammed” Mindset

Ironically, one of the reasons scams work is that many seniors don’t believe they’re vulnerable. They think they’re too experienced, too wise, or too savvy to fall for a con. That mindset creates a blind spot.

Some refuse to believe they could ever be tricked, so they ignore red flags. They may dismiss warnings or believe they’re in control—right up until the moment they realize they’ve been had. And at that point, they often don’t tell anyone.

6. Senior Loneliness Opens the Door to Fraudsters

Senior loneliness is a powerful tool for scammers. Seniors who live alone or feel isolated are more likely to engage with strangers. A friendly voice on the phone or a flattering message online can break through weeks of silence—and that emotional connection is exactly what scammers count on.

Romance scams are especially cruel. They often start slowly, with weeks or months of emails or calls, and eventually lead to requests for money. Victims aren’t stupid—they’re starved for connection. And the scammer knows it.

7. Tech Isn’t Their Strong Suit

Not every senior struggles with technology. (Heck, some of us even run websites.) But enough do that scammers take notice. Fake pop-up warnings, phishing links, spoofed websites—these tricks work best on people unfamiliar with how the internet works.

Seniors may not know how to check a URL, recognize a fake email, or spot a fraudulent app. Some don’t use password managers, two-factor authentication, VPNs, or other tools that younger people take for granted. That makes digital fraud easier and harder to detect.

Related: 10 Online Banking Safety Tips

8. Cognitive Decline Makes a Bad Situation Worse

Age-related cognitive decline—whether mild forgetfulness or early signs of dementia—can make seniors more susceptible to scams. They may have trouble remembering previous warnings, recognizing familiar patterns, or making quick judgments under pressure.

Scammers don’t care. In fact, they target people who seem confused. Some even keep lists of past victims and repeatedly try new scams, betting that the person won’t remember the last call.

9. Shame Keeps Older Adults Quiet When Scammed

One of the biggest problems with elder fraud is underreporting. Many victims don’t tell anyone what happened—not their kids, not their friends, not the police.

Why? Embarrassment. Shame. Fear of being judged or losing independence. Some worry their families will think they can’t manage their affairs anymore. Others simply don’t want to admit they made a mistake.

Scammers rely on that silence. They know that if no one talks, no one stops them.

10. Seniors Don’t Want to Be a Burden

Even when seniors suspect something is off, they often hesitate to ask for help. They don’t want to bother their adult children or make it seem like they can’t handle things on their own.

This hesitation can be tragic. A quick call to a son or daughter might prevent thousands of dollars in losses. But too many seniors choose silence out of pride, politeness, or fear of being a burden. Scammers exploit that independence and isolation.

How to Prevent Seniors from Being Scammed

The solution isn’t to scare ourselves, our partners, our parents or other seniors into paranoia. It’s about awareness, honesty, and action. Here’s a way to make that happen:

• Start the conversation. Talk about scams openly. Make it a normal part of family discussions.
• Educate without judgment. Share examples of scams and explain how they work—without making anyone feel foolish.
• Encourage caution. Help seniors understand it’s okay to screen calls, ignore emails, and hang up on strangers.
• Set up safeguards. Use fraud alerts, credit freezes, and trusted contacts on financial accounts.
• Be present. Loneliness makes people vulnerable. Regular calls, visits, and check-ins matter more than we realize.

Spread the Word About Senior Fraud

Scammers target seniors for a reason—they see them as easy prey. But knowledge is power. By understanding how and why these scams happen, we can stop pretending it’s not a big deal and start fighting back.

Seniors deserve respect, support, and protection—not silence and shame. And the more we talk about this, the harder we make it for scammers to win.

Image source: Istock photo