Protect yourself from scams

Scammers target retirees. Knowing the warning signs is the best protection.

The 4 big warning signs

They contact you first, by phone, text, email, or a knock on the door.
They rush you. "Act now or you'll lose your benefits" or "your grandson is in jail."
They want an unusual payment: gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or a cash courier.
They ask for private details: your Social Security, Medicare, or bank numbers.

Remember: The government, Medicare, and your bank will never ask you to pay with gift cards, and will not threaten to arrest you on the phone.

Common scams

Government impostors: callers pretending to be Social Security, Medicare, or the IRS.
Grandparent scams: "a relative" in trouble who needs money fast.
Tech support scams: pop-ups saying your computer has a virus.
Romance scams: an online friend who soon needs money.
Investment scams: "guaranteed" returns, often in cryptocurrency.
Fake charities: names that sound like real charities. How to check a charity.
Fake "fraud recovery" services: people who promise to get your lost money back for a fee.

Keep the warning signs by your phone: print our one-page checklist. What is phishing?

Not sure about a message? Ask Grok Bot

Copy this question, paste it into Grok Bot, then paste the message. See the full guide: Spot a scam text, email, or call.

I got this [text / email / phone call]. Here are the words: [paste the message, with my personal details removed]. Does it show the warning signs of a scam? Explain in plain words. Do not open any links in it.

On an iPad or phone, you can also press and hold the words, then tap Copy.

If it happened to you

Stop talking to them. Hang up. Do not send more money.
Call your bank using the number on the back of your card.
Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, for online scams, the FBI at IC3.gov.
Call the free National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311), Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. It is run by the U.S. Department of Justice. More about the hotline.
The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, 877-908-3360, offers free support, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern.

Cut down on unwanted calls and texts

Add your phone numbers to the free National Do Not Call Registry, or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to add. It stops most real sales calls, but not scammers.
Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM), then delete them.

More help: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and USA.gov: where to report scams.

Using Grok Bot safely: Never type your Social Security number, Medicare number, bank account, card numbers, or passwords into any chat. You do not need them to research public records.