Fraudsters know no bounds when it comes to finding victims, and unfortunately, older adults are often their favorite targets. Seniors may be more trusting, less familiar with the latest technology tricks, or managing larger nest eggs, making them attractive to criminals looking for a quick payday. But with the right information and proactive habits, we can all help protect our older loved ones from falling into a scammer’s trap.

Why Seniors Are Targeted

Scammers often assume that older adults:

• Have established savings or retirement funds
• Are less likely to detect digital deception
• May be isolated or eager to respond to friendly voices
• May hesitate to report being scammed out of embarrassment

While these stereotypes aren’t always true, they are the playbook scammers use — and that makes awareness critical.

Common Scams Targeting Seniors

1. Government Impersonation Scams: Fraudsters pretend to be from the Social Security Administration, Medicare, or the IRS, claiming there’s a problem with benefits or taxes. They often demand immediate payment or personal information. Real government agencies will never call unexpectedly to demand money or threaten arrest.
2. Tech Support Scams: A pop-up appears on a computer or tablet claiming a virus infection. The “technician” who calls then asks for remote access or payment to fix the issue. In reality, the scammer may install harmful software or steal files.
3. Grandparent Scams: Scammers call pretending to be a grandchild in distress — perhaps stuck overseas or in jail — needing urgent funds. They rely on emotional manipulation to rush victims into sending money without verifying the story.
4. Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams: A letter, phone call, or email claims the senior has won a prize, but must first pay “taxes” or “processing fees.” Legitimate contests don’t ask for money up front to release winnings.
5. Romance Scams: Through dating websites or social media, scammers build online relationships with seniors before inventing emergencies that require financial help. These can be slow-burning cons that drain savings over time.

How to Help Protect Seniors in Your Life

Have Open Conversations: Make fraud prevention part of regular family check-ins. Encourage older relatives to share if they’ve received suspicious calls, texts, or emails — without fear of judgment.

Create a “Do Not Engage” Rule: Agree that no money, gift cards, or personal information will be sent to anyone without first checking with a trusted family member or friend.

Use Technology Safeguards: Help set up call blocking, email spam filters, and strong, unique passwords. For banking, enable multifactor authentication whenever possible.

Monitor Accounts Together: Review bank and credit card statements with your loved one, looking for unfamiliar charges or withdrawals. Consumers National Bank customers can use account alerts to get notified of unusual activity right away.

Know the Red Flags - Teach seniors to pause when they hear:

• “You must act now.”
• “Pay with gift cards or wire transfer.”
• “Keep this a secret.”
• “We’ll send a courier to your home.”

These are classic scam pressure tactics.

What to Do If a Senior Is Targeted

If you suspect a scam attempt:

• Stop all communication immediately
• Contact the bank to secure accounts and block transactions
• Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and local law enforcement
• Save all messages, emails, or caller ID information — these can help investigators

If money has already been sent, act quickly. The sooner a report is made, the better the chances of limiting losses.

Consumers National Bank Is Here to Help

At Consumers National Bank, we’re committed to protecting all our customers — and that includes offering tools and guidance to keep seniors safe from fraud. Our team can:

• Walk you through setting up account alerts and security features
• Review suspicious communications with you before you respond
• Help take swift action if fraud is suspected

Fraud prevention works best when it’s a community effort. By staying informed, sharing knowledge, and looking out for one another, we can keep scammers from taking advantage of the people we care about most.

Bottom line: Scammers will keep trying new tricks, but with vigilance and support, we can outsmart them. This month, take a few minutes to talk to the seniors in your life about the warning signs of fraud — and remind them that help is always just a phone call away.

If you or a loved one ever suspect a scam, contact Consumers National Bank right away. Together, we can protect your money and your peace of mind.