Scammers know holidays mean busy schedules and quick decisions. A few rules protect savings and peace of mind. What is your family’s do not send money rule.
Know the risk. The FBI reports a record 16.6 billion in internet crime losses in 2024, with people over 60 reporting 4.8 billion in losses. Investment and imposter scams hit older adults especially hard. The FTC’s August 2025 spotlight shows a surge in government and business imposter calls that pressure retirees to move money fast. Share the data with family so everyone takes alerts seriously. Internet Crime Complaint CenterAxiosFederal Trade Commission
Set three hard rules. First, never pay by gift card, crypto, or wire for urgent problems. Second, hang up and call a published number you find yourself if someone claims to be from a bank, utility, or agency. Third, never share codes from text messages. Write these rules on a card near the phone. The IC3 site explains how to report and why it helps investigators. Internet Crime Complaint Center
Practice common scripts. An urgent call about a grandchild in trouble. A message that the bank account is locked. A tech support pop up on the computer. Role play the response. You will not offend a real bank or clinic by calling back through a known line. Ask one trusted relative to be the first call when something feels off. Newsrooms continue to cover the rise in elder fraud, so treat prevention like any other safety habit. Reuters
If money is lost, act quickly. Call the bank or card issuer, file a report with IC3, and save texts, emails, and receipts. Then reset passwords and enable multifactor authentication. If repeated fraud risk makes solo living too stressful, our advisors can help you compare settings with stronger financial and tech support. Internet Crime Complaint Center
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