Got a strange call, text or email? Slow down. Check it here.
Free, plain-language help to spot scams and find the right place to report them. For older adults and the families who help them. No sign-up. We never ask for your information.
Right now, if someone is pressuring you
- Do not pay. Do not click. Do not share codes.
- Real agencies and banks never demand gift cards, crypto, wire transfers or cash.
- Hang up and call back on a number you already know.
- Call a person you trust.
Check a message
Tick what happened. See if it matches known scam warning signs. Private; nothing is saved.
Start the checkI already paid or shared something
Step-by-step by payment type: bank, card, gift card, crypto, wire, mail.
What to do nowWhere to report it
FTC, FBI IC3, Elder Fraud Hotline, AARP, Medicare, state offices.
Reporting directoryCall these numbers
| Who | Number | Hours (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| National Elder Fraud Hotline (age 60+; U.S. DOJ) | 833-372-8311 | Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m. |
| AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline | 877-908-3360 | Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-8 p.m. |
| Eldercare Locator (to reach Adult Protective Services) | 1-800-677-1116 | Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-8 p.m. |
| Senior Medicare Patrol | 877-808-2468 | Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
Verified October 17, 2026. Sources: see sources. Online reports: ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov.
Why this matters
These are reported cases only. The FTC says most fraud is never reported.
Current warnings (from official sources)
- Recall scam texts and emails claiming something you bought was recalled and asking you to sign in through a link: AARP's Helpline reports a spike. Go to the company's website yourself. Read more. (AARP, page read 2026-10-17)
- "Unpaid toll" and package texts: do not click; forward to 7726. Read more. (FTC, Jan and Apr 2025)
- Fake security alerts that lead to "move your money to protect it": Read more. (FTC Data Spotlight, Aug 2025)
Scam guides
Fake "government" calls, texts and emails
Real government agencies do not call, text, email or message you to demand money or personal information, and none will tell you to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or a payment app.
Fake virus pop-ups and "tech support" calls
Real security warnings never ask you to call a phone number, and legitimate tech companies do not contact you out of the blue to say your computer has a problem.
"Your money is in danger. Move it now."
Nobody legitimate will ever tell you to move or withdraw your savings to "protect" it. Hang up and call your real bank at a number you already have.
"Grandma, I'm in trouble" calls
Do not trust the voice. Hang up, then call your family member on a number you already have, or check with another relative.
Online romance and "can't-miss" investments
Never send money or gifts to someone you have not met in person, and be very careful with anyone online who steers you toward investing.
Scam texts about tolls, packages and recalls
Do not click links in unexpected texts. Check with the company or agency using a phone number or website you already know is real.
Calls and texts about your Medicare card or benefits
Medicare sends your card automatically for free and will not call, email or text to sell you anything or ask for your Medicare number. You never have to pay for your Medicare card.
How a scammer asks to be paid is the biggest clue
If someone tells you to pay with a gift card, Bitcoin ATM, wire transfer, payment app, cash in the mail, or cash or gold handed to a courier, it is a scam.
"You've won!" and "you've inherited" scams
If you have to pay a fee or tax to claim a prize, lottery win or inheritance, it is a scam.
For families
Pick a family safe word, agree on five simple rules, and keep a printable card by the phone. The FBI and AARP both recommend a safe word.
Quick answers
Someone says I must pay with gift cards or Bitcoin. Is that real?
No. The FTC says only scammers tell you to pay with a gift card, and no real business or government agency will. A scammer sending you to a Bitcoin ATM is also a scam.
The caller ID shows my bank. Is it safe?
Not necessarily. The FTC says caller ID can be faked. Hang up and call the number on your card or statement.
Where do I report a scam?
Start with ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For online fraud also use ic3.gov. Age 60+ can call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311. See the full directory.
I already sent money. Can I get it back?
Maybe. Call the company you paid with right away and ask for a refund or reversal; the FTC says it is always worth asking. Steps by payment type are on this page.