How your grandparents get scammed: Top 5 scams targeting seniors
We all love our grandparents, but unfortunately, scammers love them too but for a different reason. Elderlies are seen as better targets because they are less aware of it, they are less familiar with modern technology, cyber threats, more trusting, and some might even be sitting on piles of their retirement funds. As AI evolves, the scams are getting more and more elaborate. In 2024 alone, Canadians lost $638 million dollars to fraud and cybercrime. In this article, I’ll tell you the top 5 ways criminals do it, how they work, and how to spot them so that you can help your grandparents not lose their life savings.
The “Grandparent” Scam
The plan:
Scammers call seniors pretending to be a family member or someone close to them, act like they urgently need money, often claiming to have a medical emergency, or an accident. Nowadays, some have even been using an ai generated voice of their family to make it more realistic. They, then, pressure the seniors to send money via wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency or other prepaid cards since they’re quite hard to trace.
Why it’s used:
This scam manipulate the elderly emotionally. Since they are more trusting, it’s also easier to pressure them into sending money rather than people who are well aware of such scams. Time also plays a big part in this, the scammers will usually convince the grandparents that they need money IMMEDIATELY. Thus, the seniors will act quick without confirming/verifying the story.
Red flags to spot:
- Asking them to keep it a secret (”Don’t tell my mum grandpa - she’s going to be upset if she finds out”)
- Will start with “Do you know who this is?” or some sort similar versions to find out the name of a loved one
- Always will be in urgent situations and pressure them into sending money without thinking
Ways to prevent it:
- Verify the story
- Ask questions - specific ones that only that said person might know
- Don’t act urgently no matter the pressure
- Unusual payment methods such as wire transfer or gift cards
Fake Tech Support Scams
The plan:
Scammers will often call pretending to be from well-known companies like Microsoft, Apple, or “Windows Support,” claiming your computer has been hacked or infected with a virus. They may also send pop-ups while you're browsing that warn you not to turn off your PC and to “call this number immediately.” Once contacted, they convince the victim to give them remote access to the computer and may “find” fake problems—then charge hundreds of dollars to “fix” it.
Why it’s used:
Older adults are less familiar with technical warnings and pop-ups and may believe these messages are legitimate. Once scared, they’re more likely to comply and pay the scammers just to feel like they’ve resolved the issue.
Red flags to spot:
- Unexpected pop-ups urging urgent tech support
- Phone calls claiming your computer has issues (no legit company does this)
- Asking to install remote access tools like TeamViewer or AnyDesk
- Demanding payment in gift cards or through online transfer
Ways to prevent it:
- Don’t trust unsolicited calls or pop-ups about your device
- Hang up immediately and call a trusted family member or technician
- Never give remote access to someone you didn’t contact first
- Install pop-up blockers or use ad-blocking browsers
Government or CRA Scams
The plan:
Scammers pretend to be officials from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or similar government bodies. They claim you owe back taxes or have committed financial fraud, and if you don’t pay immediately, you’ll be arrested or sued. Some may even spoof government phone numbers and use official-sounding language.
Why it’s used:
These scams work because they scare people into acting fast. Seniors may not be familiar with how CRA actually contacts people and might panic when hearing terms like "tax evasion," "lawsuit," or "criminal charges."
Red flags to spot:
- Threats of arrest or legal action unless you pay immediately
- Requests for payment in gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
- Phone numbers that look real but sound overly aggressive or robotic
- Pressure to act quickly without verifying
Ways to prevent it:
- CRA never threatens arrest or asks for gift cards as payment
- Always log in to your CRA account or call the official number to confirm
- Don’t trust caller ID alone—it can be faked
- Ask for everything in writing, then verify it
Romance Scams
The plan:
This scam often starts on dating sites or social media. A scammer poses as a potential romantic partner, gains the trust of the senior over time, and then starts asking for money. The reasons range from emergency medical expenses to travel costs to come “visit” them. They often never meet in person.
Why it’s used:
Loneliness is a big vulnerability, especially among widowed or isolated elderly. These scams play the long game—building emotional relationships to eventually gain financial benefits.
Red flags to spot:
- Always has an excuse for not meeting in person
- Stories about emergencies that require money
- Requests for secrecy ("Don’t tell your kids—they won’t understand")
- Quickly saying “I love you” or trying to move the relationship fast
Ways to prevent it:
- Be wary of online relationships where you’ve never met
- Talk to family or friends before sending anyone money
- Reverse image search profile pictures to see if they’re stolen
- Never share banking or personal info with someone you’ve never met
Lottery or Prize Scams
The plan:
A senior receives a call, email, or letter saying they’ve won a big prize—often a lottery, car, or vacation. But before they can “claim it,” they need to pay taxes, fees, or handling charges. Some scammers send fake cheques or official-looking documents to make it seem more legitimate.
Why it’s used:
Who doesn’t want to win something? Elders might get excited and feel lucky, especially if they’re told they’ve won something life-changing. Many may not realize that legitimate contests don’t require upfront fees.
Red flags to spot:
- “You’ve won!” without ever entering anything
- Requests for money before getting your prize
- Poor spelling/grammar in emails or letters
- Instructions to keep it secret
Ways to prevent it:
- Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
- Real lotteries don’t ask for payment to release your prize
- Don’t send money to unknown senders claiming you’ve won
- Check with someone you trust before responding