By Amy Gathings, Esq. 

As of June 30, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported 1,372,927 scams in the United States, many of which target older adults. Scammers are adept at manipulating emotions, often inciting fear. They may cultivate fake online romantic relationships with someone who is recently widowed and, after several months, begin requesting funds via cryptocurrency, gift cards, money orders, or other untraceable methods. They may use AI-generated voices or images implying that a loved one is in trouble and needs funds. Many pretend to be from a legitimate government agency or business and fabricate an urgent issue that requires immediate attention, such as problems with government benefit payments, recent orders, or fake debts.

Urgency is a red flag, as is a request for untraceable payment or personal information. Legitimate government agencies and businesses will not call or contact you by phone or email if there is a real problem. They will also not demand immediate action. Typically, they will correspond in writing and provide a reasonable timeframe for a response. Requests for unusual, untraceable payment methods are another red flag.  

It is important to be aware of these tactics so that, if you are approached, you can resist the emotional panic scammers are so skilled at triggering and think through how to respond. The best course of action is to independently research the information the scammer is presenting. Look up the phone number for the business or agency independently and call to determine if there is truly an issue that needs to be addressed. Pause to verify whether or not this is a legitimate request or a scam. See the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org/scamtracker. Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at www.identitytheft.gov and review common scams at www.consumer.ftc.gov/scams to see if the situation follows the pattern of any identified scams. You should cut ties with the scammer as quickly as you can and report the situation to the police. Also, report what happened to the FBI at www.ic3.gov. It is also helpful to talk to a trusted friend or family member to run the situation by them.
 

Most importantly, if you fall victim to a scam, there is no shame in admitting it, and your ability to recover depends on coming forward as quickly as possible. Locally, the Center for Elder Law and Justice (CELJ), a legal services nonprofit, provides counseling on how to avoid scams, help you recover your losses, dispute any fraudulent charges or debts resulting from the scam, review your credit report, and take steps to protect you. The sooner you act, the greater your chances of recovering your losses or at least limiting them. 
 

Amy Gathings, Esq., is the Director of Impact Litigation at the Center for Elder Law and Justice, 438 Main Street, Suite 200, Buffalo, NY 14202. For free, confidential services, call 716-853-3087 or visit www.elderjusticeny.org.