Seniors are losing more to scams than ever—here’s a free program helping them fight back

The numbers are staggering, and they're getting worse by the day. Seniors lost $745 million in scams in the first quarter of 2025 alone—nearly $200 million more than the same period last year. Behind each dollar lost is a real person whose trust was shattered and whose financial security was compromised, often permanently.

Some people over 60 have reported emptying their bank accounts and even clearing out their 401(k)s after falling victim to increasingly sophisticated scammers who prey on their desire to protect their money. The cruel irony? These criminals are using fake security alerts and phony government warnings to steal the very savings they claim to be protecting.

How scammers became financial predators

The scale of this crisis is unprecedented. Combined losses for those who lost over $100,000 increased eightfold, from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024. Meanwhile, reports from adults 60 and older claiming losses of at least $10,000 increased 362% from 1,790 reports in 2020 to 8,269 in 2024.

These aren't random crimes of opportunity. Seniors are often targeted because they tend to be trusting and polite and usually have financial savings, own a home, and have good credit. Scammers have weaponized these very qualities that make our communities strong.

The psychology of the perfect scam

Today's scammers aren't just stealing money—they're psychological manipulators who understand exactly how to exploit our natural instincts. A phone call is still the best way to dial up the fear and urgency, so it's harder for you to think clearly and check things out. Keeping you on the phone is also designed to keep you from talking to anyone who could help.

The lies these criminals tell generally follow three devastating patterns:

Lie #1: Someone is using your accounts. They claim to be from your bank or Amazon, warning about suspicious activity that requires immediate action.

Lie #2: Your information is being used for crimes. Fake government agents warn that your Social Security number is linked to drug smuggling or money laundering.

Lie #3: There's a computer security problem. Fake alerts that look like they're from Microsoft or Apple trick you into calling a number where “technicians” claim your accounts are compromised.

A personal mission born from heartbreak

For Rick Planos, an instructor with AARP's Senior Planet program in Illinois, fighting these scams isn't just a job—it's personal. His mother lost more than $2,500 in gift cards to a scammer who convinced her that her grandson had been arrested.

”My mom was distraught,” Planos explained. “First, she was distraught that one of her grandchildren was arrested—and then it turned out that wasn't true. And then she was distraught that she got scammed.”

That devastating experience transformed Planos into a fraud-fighting advocate. “I spend a lot of time teaching for AARP. I took what happened to us and put it into some kind of positive energy to protect other people,” he said.

Also read: This Texas teen outsmarted scammers with a simple computer science trick

Senior Planet: Education as armor

AARP's Senior Planet program represents a nationwide response to this crisis, offering free fraud-awareness classes to Americans age 60 and older. The program teaches participants how to identify red flags, spot fake communications, and avoid sharing sensitive information under pressure.

In Denver, Senior Planet hosts regular in-person classes, but the program is also available online and in several other states, including Texas, Maryland, and New York. “It's important to talk about where the risks and dangers are,” said Aaron Santis, program lead for Senior Planet Colorado. “But we're also using technology as a tool to enrich people's lives.”

Also read: How one scam drained a senior’s savings—and what you can do to stay safe

Learning to fight back with knowledge

Carolyn Gibson, a recent Senior Planet student, joined to learn about artificial intelligence and how to protect herself from scams. “I came over here to find out who is this AI, what is this AI. The people here, they've been very helpful,” Gibson said.

The program's instructors emphasize core principles: slow down, verify, and never feel rushed into sharing information—especially if contacted by someone claiming to be from a government agency.

The most dangerous scams targeting you right now

Tech support scams were responsible for over $1.3 billion in losses in 2023 alone, making them one of the costliest fraud types. The average victim of elder fraud lost $33,915 in 2023, but many lost far more.

Some scammers even pretend to be with the FTC and tell people to transfer money out of their accounts, deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs, and even hand off stacks of cash or gold to couriers—actions the real FTC would never ask people to do.

Your action plan for protection

The most effective defense against these sophisticated criminals isn't complicated technology or expensive services—it's education and a few simple habits that can save your life savings.

If someone contacts you unexpectedly:

• Hang up and verify through official channels
• Never use contact information provided by the caller
• Take time to think—scammers create false urgency
• Talk to a trusted friend or family member before acting

Red flags that always mean “scam”:

• Demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
• Claims that your accounts are compromised and money must be moved to 'protect' it
• Requests for remote access to your computer
• Threats of arrest or legal action unless you pay immediately

Also read: Are you unknowingly falling for Medicare scams? Here’s how to protect yourself

The fight continues

Seniors lost $4.8 billion in 2024 to scammers, according to the FBI, but programs like Senior Planet are fighting back with the most powerful weapon available: knowledge. The FTC reminds everyone that legitimate government agencies will never call to demand money, and if you receive a suspicious call, you should hang up, visit the agency's official website, and report the scam directly.

The numbers may be staggering, but they don't have to be inevitable. Every senior who learns to recognize these tactics, every family that has the conversation about scam awareness, and every person who reports suspicious activity helps protect others in the community.

You can explore the free Senior Planet classes and resources at seniorplanet.org

Read next:

• AARP joins forces with Prisidio to launch secure online vault for seniors
• A new warning about Social Security scam has seniors on alert
• What seniors need to know about crypto bank machines and scams

Key Takeaways

• Scams targeting older adults are on the rise, with the FTC reporting a significant increase in scams involving losses over $10,000 and the FBI noting average losses per senior scam complaint have jumped to $83,000.
• In response, AARP has launched the Senior Planet program, providing free fraud-awareness classes to Americans aged 60 and over, teaching them how to identify scams and protect themselves online and over the phone.
• The program offers both in-person and online classes across several states, with instructors encouraging seniors to verify suspicious requests and never rush into sharing personal information, especially with callers posing as government officials.
• Senior Planet not only aims to protect seniors from scams but also helps them learn new technology skills, make friends, stay active, and save money.

Have you or someone you know been targeted by a scam? What steps do you take to stay safe online and over the phone? Have you tried a Senior Planet class, or do you have other resources to recommend?