Love, all of us

Is this a scam?

Tick what happened. If someone is on the phone with you right now, hang up first. If it's real, you can call back.

Who says they're contacting you?
What do they want you to do? Tick all that apply.
Did they say any of these?
Nothing you tick leaves this page.
An old telephone off the hook, an older woman's hand putting down a fan of blank gift cards and reaching for a rose-red purse
Image made with AI.
We haven't reviewed any paid protection services yet.Everything on this page is free. If we ever list a paid service, we'll say so right next to the link.

It isn't what you've been told to fear.

$7.7B

Reported lost by people 60 and over in 2025. FBI

$38,500

The average loss among those complaints. FBI

$2,000

The median loss reported by people 80 and over, the highest of any age group. FTC

The call from a “grandchild” gets the headlines, but the biggest losses are elsewhere. Older adults reported losing far more to investment scams than to anything else in 2025, often starting on social media. Government and business impostors came next, and banks were the name scammers used most in the business group. Gift cards were the most common way older adults paid in family-impersonation scams.

These numbers only count what people reported, so the real figures are higher. The FTC's own estimate of what fraud cost older adults in 2025 starts at $13.3 billion.

The rule for the whole family

Slow down, hang up, and call back on a number you already know. Scammers can copy a voice with AI and fake a caller ID, so neither one proves anything.

Then set up a family safe word and put a Fridge Card where they'll see it.

Where to report it

This is general information to help a family think things through. It isn't medical, legal, financial or insurance advice, and it can't judge your parent's situation. Read the disclaimer.

Where this comes from

Last checked October 30, 2026. Found something wrong? Tell us.

New scams, once a week.

The Sunday letter tells you what's going around, in a form you can forward to your parents.