Am I Being Scammed?

Scams against seniors are on the rise. Keep yourself protected by staying up to date on their methods.

Think you’re being scammed—or about to be? Stop and ask yourself right now:

Is someone I don’t know (or just met) pushing me to send money fast?
Are they warning of danger to me or my loved ones if I don’t act immediately?
Did my computer suddenly lock up and tell me to call a number?
Does this situation feel too good—or too awful—to be true?

If the answer to any of these is yes, pause—don’t act. Scammers rely on panic. Don’t give them the chance. Talk to someone you trust. There’s always time to step back, evaluate the situation, or get a second opinion. We’re here to help. Call us at (415) 538-3333—our attorneys offer free support and guidance.

Common Scams

Report Elder Fraud

Scammers are like viruses, constantly mutating and adapting to their environment. Here are some of the most recent scams affecting seniors:

Sweepstakes Scam

A notice that you’ve won a prize is sent to you, even if you never submitted an entry to a sweepstake or bought a lottery ticket. When you attempt to collect, they inform you that you need to pay a certain amount of money to secure the prize. They may tell you it’s to cover taxes and fees, or to increase chances of winning. Never forget that prizes are always free!

Romance Scam

You met someone who is very eager to be in a romantic relationship with you. They call, text, and chat with you nonstop for weeks, months, maybe even years. Then something happens– they suddenly need money badly or ask you to invest in cryptocurrency on a website you’ve never heard of. They insist that their ‘love’ is proof that they have your best interests at heart, or that they’d never lie to you. Never send money to somebody you’ve only talked to online or by phone!

Technology Scam

You get a phone call or a pop-up message that appears on your computer, seemingly from a verifiable security company. Apparently, a computer virus has invaded your system. Your point of contact is a stranger on the other end of the line, who claims they need “remote access,” a process that allows a third party to gain access to your computer with your permission. In doing so, they can also access all of your passwords and private information. Never let a stranger log in!

Grandchild Scam

You get a call from someone claiming to be your grandchild (or any close relative). The caller sounds like the relative and is urgently asking you for bail money after being jailed. They depend on emotional urgency and distress to coerce you into giving them money. Is it really their voice or artificial intelligence? Have you double-checked with your family that this is true? Never trust anyone who pressures you to act immediately!

Stranger Scam

An unknown person reaches out to you, hoping you will tell them they have the ‘wrong number’. Regardless, they continue talking to you in an attempt to build trust, and once they feel confident enough, they will pressure you into giving them money, sometimes online using cryptocurrency. Stranger scams can occur in person, with the scammer posing as a “healer” or a desperate person who needs cash quickly. Never trust a stranger!

Fake Bank Scam

Your bank calls or texts you to tell you that your account has been hacked. When you follow up with the supposed ‘representative’, they ask you to verify your information by telling them your account number, login password, and/or social security number. Once verified, they may tell you that the only way to keep your money safe is to take it out of the account and send it somewhere ‘safe’; or before you put your life savings at risk, can you go to your bank’s nearest branch to verify fraud with them? Can you ask a friend or relative to help you check your account? Never give personal information out over the phone!

Reporting Resources

The best way to prevent future scams is to report your experience to local and federal agencies. Scammers rarely target a single person. If it happened to you, it is probably happening to somebody else. It is not uncommon for victims of scams to feel ashamed or embarrassed to admit that they have been taken advantage of, but you are not alone. You can help prevent this from happening again by filing a claim with the following agencies.

For General Fraud:

FTC (Federal Trade Commission)

Identity Theft Hotline: 1 (877) 438-4338

Consumer Response Center: 1 (877) 382-4357

CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)

FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Phone: (215) 418-4000

California Attorney General

SF County District Attorney

Investigation Hotline: (628) 652-4324

Fraud Hotline: (628) 652-4311

Bad Check Enforcement Unit: (628) 652-4028

For Fraudulent Businesses: