Scammers Exploit Technology to Target Senior Citizens

Published: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 5:08 am

Scammers Target Seniors with Sophisticated Tech-Based Fraud

A recent report highlights a concerning rise in scams targeting senior citizens, fueled by increasingly sophisticated technological tactics. One Manatee County woman, identified as Marilyn, shared her harrowing experience to warn others. She lost $2,400 after falling victim to a convincing scheme that began with a fraudulent email impersonating Chase Bank.

The email falsely claimed an unauthorized Apple Pro charge on her account and instructed her to call a provided number. The person on the other end, posing as a bank representative, then transferred her to someone claiming to be from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This "FTC agent" convinced Marilyn that she was helping catch a hacker and needed to purchase gift cards to assist in the investigation. Following their instructions, she bought gift cards from Lowe's, Walmart, and Winn Dixie, providing the scammers with the card numbers and PINs.

The FTC confirms that these types of scams are on the rise, with a 25% increase in fraud losses across all age groups in 2024, and seniors losing over $2.3 billion. The FTC emphasizes that they will never demand money transfers, request gift card payments, or threaten individuals.

Experts advise caution: hang up immediately on suspicious calls, verify contact information independently, and never trust caller ID. The article also includes ten crucial tips from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to protect yourself from scams, including: never using gift cards or wire transfers for unfamiliar contacts, being wary of unsolicited emails and links, verifying website security, and protecting personal information. If you've been scammed, contact the gift card company and report the fraud to the FTC.

Keywords: **scam, senior citizens, fraud, FTC, gift cards, email scam, Chase Bank, identity theft, online scams, BBB, fraud prevention, cybercrime, Manatee County, Marilyn, gift card scam, technology, fraud losses, consumer protection, phishing, impersonation, caller ID spoofing**

Full Coverage