By the time most people reach retirement, they’ve built a lifetime of savings, assets, and personal information—exactly the kinds of things scammers want most. From fake IRS calls and fraudulent investment opportunities to convincing text messages about package deliveries, modern scams are more sophisticated than ever. And while seniors are often the targets, experts say anyone can fall for them.
An Evolving Threat
Attorney Sara Pope, owner of Sara Pope Law PLLC, has seen a sharp rise in technology-driven scams in recent years. “I often have clients or prospective clients call with questions about mailings, phone calls, or emails that look like they are from a government entity, claiming they owe additional fees or expenses related to their property, or payments for Medicare,” she said. “With AI, the scams are getting more sophisticated, that is for sure!”
Attorney Peter Holstead Davies of Davies & Davies noted that emotional manipulation is one of the most common tactics. “People have gotten calls saying that their child or grandchild is in trouble, such as being held in jail, and that money needs to be sent ASAP,” he said. “We have had people receive calls saying that they won a prize and need to send in money to receive the prize.”
Attorney Ron Feinman, Managing Attorney at Virginia Elder Law, PLC, said that scams increasingly arrive through everyday technology. “Emails with attachments or links, even if they look like they are coming from someone you know,” he said. “Scammers can make an email look like it is coming from someone you know or a site you trust, but it’s not—click on the link and download malware that will steal your identity or your money or both. Always check directly with the source to make sure the email is really from them.”
The combination of high emotion, perceived authority, and digital realism often makes even cautious people act quickly—sometimes before realizing something is off.
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Subtle Signs and Smart Habits
Not all scams are easy to spot. “Oftentimes, there aren’t warning signs,” Pope said. That’s why maintaining open communication and a culture of transparency is so important. “If you have a senior citizen in your life, talk to them frequently and let them know you are here for them,” she said. “Many people in that generation don’t want to bother their neighbor or family member. Let them know you are a resource if they have questions about anything.”
Davies agreed that vigilance and oversight can go a long way. “Someone may want to watch over the finances,” he said. “And maybe someone should watch the watcher… Some people have privacy concerns and do not want their family knowing their financial business, but transparency may allow others to help by keeping an eye on things.”
Feinman added that family awareness often reveals early red flags. “Lots of new charges on their account, your older relative being secretive about their spending, or a new ‘best friend’ helping with their finances can all be warning signs,” he said.
Seniors can also take small, proactive steps to protect their digital and financial accounts:
• Never click on links in texts or emails from unknown sources. Instead, visit the company’s official website or app directly.
• Use strong, unique passwords and consider a password manager such as LastPass or OnePass to securely store them.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for online banking and credit cards to receive real-time fraud alerts.
Pope shared how one simple security measure protected her personally. “This one thing personally saved me $14,000 once,” she said. “Because I set up fraud alerts, I received a text that my credit card had a $14,000 transaction from Las Vegas. Someone had stolen my credit card data while I was traveling… The credit card fraud claims office handled it immediately. I didn’t have to pay a dime.”
Legal and Financial Safeguards
While technology helps prevent certain kinds of fraud, other protections are best built into a person’s financial and estate planning. Pope recommends establishing safeguards before a problem arises.
“If someone is older, disabled, or needs money management, it is often a good idea to have a power of attorney in place,” she said. “This allows a trusted person to have access to your accounts and can monitor activity for you, pay your bills securely, and work with your banks if needed.”
She also noted that a revocable trust can offer additional security for property and assets, while title insurance and identity-theft protection can help recover costs if a scam does occur. “The best way to mitigate risk,” she added, “is to have a trusted advisor or friend you can talk to if you receive a communication that you are not sure about. I always tell my clients that if it is a REAL government agency, you ALWAYS have time to verify later. Never act out of fear or impulse and pay immediately. Talk to someone first.”
Feinman suggested taking advantage of safeguards already available through financial institutions. “Be sure to include a ‘trusted contact’ for any brokerage or investment account,” he said. “The investment firm will notify this person if it spots anything suspicious. This is a free service offered by all legitimate firms.”
He also encouraged families to revisit these precautions regularly. “The scams are getting more sophisticated every day—keep reminding yourself: never send money or click a link without contacting the other party through a means you initiate.”
Davies added that legal oversight doesn’t mean giving up independence. “Having someone oversee finances can be helpful,” he said. “It is important that someone not feel like they’re giving up their rights to conduct their own business, but having a second set of eyes on spending can help mitigate loss.”
When It Happens—Not If
Even the most careful person can still become a victim. If you suspect you’ve been scammed, act quickly. Pope advises starting with law enforcement. “You should first file a police report and they can direct you on immediate steps,” she said. “If this involves identity theft, you should also contact the Federal Trade Commission and file a report with that agency. After this, contact your bank, credit card companies, and the three major credit bureaus… to place a fraud alert on your credit file (this is free).”
Feinman outlined additional immediate steps: “Contact all bank and other financial accounts and place a hold except for automatic payments already established. Call all three credit bureaus and put an immediate hold on your credit accounts. Contact all credit-card companies and cancel your cards to get new ones. Call your lawyer and your family and ask for help.”
Most importantly, Davies said, don’t let shame stop you from seeking help. “Don’t feel like it’s your fault,” he said. “Scammers are increasingly sophisticated, and the sooner someone shares concerns with trusted family or friends, the sooner they can get help.”
Financial exploitation thrives in secrecy, but open conversations—within families, with advisors, and with community resources—can make all the difference. For local support, Pope points to organizations like the Beard Center on Aging and the Central Virginia Alliance for Community Living, both of which provide education and advocacy for older adults.
Protecting against scams isn’t about fear; it’s about empowerment. With a few smart safeguards and the right people in your corner, peace of mind is possible.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes and is not intended to be legal advice. Consult an attorney if you need legal advice.
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