The Grandparent Scam: When Someone Calls Claiming a Family Member Is in Trouble
A caller says your grandchild is in jail or stranded and needs money now. Here's how the grandparent scam works, what to watch for, and what to do.
Scam Spotter Articles
Scams that target adults over fifty share common patterns: a scammer impersonates a trusted authority, creates urgency through threats or appeals, and pressures the target to act before they can think. Once you know the pattern, you can spot it wearing different costumes.
These articles take a closer look at the most common variants — how each one works, the red flags that identify it, and what to do if you've been targeted (or have already been caught).
Articles in this category
The IRS Phone Scam and Why the Real IRS Never Calls First
A caller claims to be the IRS and threatens arrest over unpaid taxes. Here's how the IRS phone scam works, what to watch for, and what to do.
Romance Scams and the People Who Target Lonely Adults
Someone you met online builds a relationship, then asks for money. Here's how romance scams work, what to watch for, and what to do.
The Social Security Number Suspension Scam
A scam call says your Social Security number has been suspended. Here's how the scam works, what to watch for, and what to do.
Tech Support Scams: When a Pop-Up Says Your Computer Is Infected
A pop-up warns your computer is infected and tells you to call a number. Here's how tech support scams work, what to watch for, and what to do.
Test your Scam Spotter knowledge
These articles pair with the Scam Spotter trivia category on the main site, where you can earn tokens for spotting scams in real-world scenarios.