These 10 common scams catch people off guard. Here’s how to stay ahead of them.
Fraudsters do more than steal money. They take advantage of people during moments of change or weakness, especially when routines shift. Scammers often appear when you're under pressure, grieving, adjusting to retirement or simply overwhelmed.
And you don’t have to be retired to be a target. Bad actors look for any opportunity.
Recognizing the tactics they use is the first step toward stopping them.
You get an unsolicited phone call or email saying you’ve won a large prize. The fraudster asks you to send money to cover shipping, taxes or other ancillary fees. The prize never arrives because it was never real.
Ask yourself: Did you actually enter a contest? Did they explain when and how they’d contact you if you won?
Your grandchild calls to confess their troubles. Or so you think. A fraudster may pretend to be a grandchild in crisis and urgently ask you for money, often begging you not to tell their parents. This emotional pressure is part of the scam.
Ask yourself: Does this sound like something your grandchild would say? Can you pause and call them back – or call their parents – before making a decision?
To prepare for such scenarios, talk with your family or close loved ones now about how you’ll contact each other during emergencies. Agree on ways to verify it’s really them before you act.
You donate to one charity and end up on every charity’s list. Some charities sell or share your name, phone number and email with other organizations and third-party fundraisers or marketing lists. Fraudsters may use similar-sounding names or logos to trick you into giving again, but the money doesn’t go where you intend.
Ask yourself: Did you initiate the donation, or are they contacting you out of the blue? Does the name exactly match the group you intended to support?
Someone calls pretending to be from a major company, such as Microsoft, and says he can see that your computer has a virus. He offers to help you get rid of it by asking you to log into a website that lets him control your computer. The technical term for this is remote access, and it allows the fraudster to access your computer where they will then steal your personal and financial information.
Ask yourself: Did you reach out for tech support, or did they contact you first? If you already have a support service, does this match how they usually reach out? Real companies don’t call out of the blue to fix your computer.
If you own a timeshare, you may get a call from someone claiming they’re authorized to sell it for you, for a fee. After paying, however, you never hear from them again.
Ask yourself: Did you contact this company first? Have they provided a contract or any proof you can share with your lawyer to confirm it’s legitimate?
A man comes to your door and offers to clean your gutters or trim your trees, which sounds like a good idea. He asks for prepayment, then disappears without doing the work.
Ask yourself: Do you know this company, or have you seen proof it’s legitimate? A professional should be willing to provide references, ID or a business card – and let you pay after the job is completed.
You get an unsolicited call about a discounted price for a piece of medical equipment such as a heart monitor, wheelchair or bathtub bench. You’re asked for a deposit and your personal information or Medicare number to send the equipment, but the equipment never shows up, and now the information you may have given them could be used to commit identity theft.
Ask yourself: Did you request this product, or are they contacting you out of the blue? Before giving any medical or insurance information, check with your doctor or health plan provider directly.
You’re approached by a “professional” who claims your home is under threat of foreclosure and offers to pay off your mortgage or taxes if you sign over the deed to the property. Once they have the deed, the fraudster can refinance your home, take out loans in your name or sell the property and keep the money. Keep in mind, even if you sign over a deed to someone, you are still liable for your mortgage obligations.
Ask yourself: Is this offer coming from your bank, lender or a verified legal source? Don’t sign anything until you’ve spoken with your mortgage company or a housing counselor you trust.
Some fraudsters build close personal relationships, such as caregivers, romantic partners or trusted friends. Over time, they gain access to your finances, online accounts or legal documents under the appearance of helping. In many cases, this manipulation is slow and emotional. You may not realize it’s a scam until money is missing or debt has been taken out in your name.
Ask yourself: Has this person asked for access to your bank account, online passwords or power of attorney? Or are they always asking for help, even though you’ve never seen them in person and they claim to live far away?
Before purchasing or closing on a new property, a scammer intercepts an email from your real estate agent or title company. They send fake payment instructions to steal your closing funds. Watch for last-minute changes, unfamiliar email addresses or payment requests that feel off.
Ask yourself: Does this match what your agent told you? When in doubt, call them directly using a number you already trust.
You can tell your agent and the title company that you will not accept changes to payment instructions by email. Agree on how you’ll verify any changes, just in case.
These scams are common and widespread. But speaking with trusted loved ones or your financial professional before making decisions can help you avoid these traps. Additionally, keep in mind these tips for staying safe:
If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to a scam or that your identity has been compromised, it’s time to act. Report the incident to your advisor or financial institution right away to help protect your accounts, and consult identitytheft.gov to see the Federal Trade Commission’s recommendations for critical next steps. Additionally, reporting cybercrime to the FBI can help federal agencies respond quicker and more effectively to threats.
