Older Adult Fraud: What Reported Losses Mean for Families
Fraud losses are serious, but pressure and impersonation—not age alone—are the useful warning signs. Help a relative verify requests while preserving their independence.
By ZoraSafe · Content reviewed · Originally published
Use a clearly defined number
The FTC’s December 2025 report says adults aged 60 and over reported $2.4 billion in fraud losses in 2024. This is reported loss data for that age group and source, not a count of all fraud or a measurement of AI-caused losses.
Do not compare totals from different reporting systems as if they measured the same population or causes.
Sources: FTC: Protecting older consumers: 2024–2025 report; FTC: December 2025 report announcement: older adults’ reported losses
Recognize pressure instead of blaming the person
A request to act immediately, keep a payment secret or move money to a supposed safe account deserves a pause. A familiar voice or caller ID is not enough to establish who is asking.
Sources: FTC: Scammers use fake emergencies to steal your money; FTC: Scammers use AI to enhance family emergency schemes
Make help easy to request
- Agree on a known callback route and a family verification phrase before an emergency.
- Ask what happened without criticism. Let the person keep control of the conversation where possible.
- If money or credentials were shared, contact the relevant provider and secure accounts promptly.
- Offer to help document and report the incident without promising recovery.
Sources: FTC: Scammers use fake emergencies to steal your money; FTC: What to do if you were scammed
Sources and product references
Reviewed 2026-10-07. Source dates and scope matter; a linked source supports the associated guidance, not every claim about every product.