KC Senior Guide

Scam & Fraud Protection

Common scams that target seniors

Scammers go after older adults on purpose — but almost every scam uses the same handful of tricks. Once you can recognize the pattern, you can spot (and stop) nearly any of them. Here are the most common ones and the red flags that give them away.

The universal red flags — if you see these, stop:
  • Urgency — "act now or else."
  • Secrecy — "don't tell anyone."
  • Unusual payment — gift cards, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or cash by mail. No real agency or business asks for these.
  • Out of the blue — an unexpected call, text, email, or pop-up.
  • "You won" or "you owe" — a prize you didn't enter, or a sudden debt.

The scams seniors see most

  • Grandparent / family emergency: a panicked "grandchild" (or someone claiming to help them) needs bail or hospital money right now — and begs you to keep it secret.
  • Government impostor: a fake call or letter from "Social Security," "Medicare," or the "IRS" demanding payment or your personal information, often threatening arrest or lost benefits.
  • Tech-support: a pop-up or call claiming your computer is infected; they want remote access or payment to "fix" it.
  • Romance: an online "relationship" that moves fast and eventually needs money for an emergency, a plane ticket, or customs fees.
  • Sweepstakes / lottery: "You've won!" — but you must pay a fee or taxes first to collect.
  • Charity fraud: high-pressure requests for donations, especially after a disaster, to a charity you can't verify.
  • Investment / "too good to be true": guaranteed high returns with no risk, often with urgency to get in now.
  • Home repair / contractor: a "great deal" from a stranger at the door who wants cash up front and never finishes the work.
  • Phishing: emails or texts pretending to be your bank, Amazon, or a delivery service, with a link that steals your login or installs malware.

Five golden rules

  • Slow down. Urgency is the scammer's favorite weapon — real situations give you time to think.
  • Hang up and verify. Look up the official number yourself; never use the number they give you.
  • Never pay with gift cards, wire, or crypto. That request alone means it's a scam.
  • Don't give personal or financial info to anyone who contacted you first.
  • Talk to someone you trust before acting. Scammers count on secrecy.
Want to go deeper? See stopping phone, text & robocall scams, protecting a loved one from fraud & financial abuse (with KS/MO reporting numbers), and what to do if you've already been scammed.

This guide is general information to help you stay safe. If you believe a crime is in progress or someone is in danger, call 911.