Helping elders spot official-impersonation and family-emergency scams
In 30 seconds
- Four signs of a scamPosing as a known agency; a problem or prize; pressure to act now; a set way to pay①
- A caller who demands these is a scammerGift cards, gold bars, crypto, wire transfers or mailed cash①
- Fake Chinese policeFBI: targets the US-based Chinese community; an official-looking number proves nothing③
- Elder exploited by someone they knowCalifornia Adult Protective Services 1-833-401-0832, 24 hours⑥
Who to call
Scammers often call elders pretending to be Social Security, Medicare, a bank, Chinese police or an embassy, or a grandchild in trouble who needs money right away. The stories change every year; the pattern doesn't. Social Security lists four signs of a scam: they pretend to be from an organization you know; they say there's a problem or a prize; they pressure you to act immediately; they tell you to pay in a specific way.
Three steps: hang up, call back, don't pay their way
Hang up, check on a number you saved, and never pay by gift card, wire or cash.
Full text and sources
Check items off to organize your thoughts. Your selections reset when you leave this page.
The four most common stories
Fake Social Security, Chinese police, family emergencies and Medicare are the most common stories.
Full text and sources
- Fake Social Security: they threaten to suspend your Social Security number or account, threaten arrest, or say you must pay to get a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Social Security says it will never ask for sensitive personal information through social media, email or text.
- Fake “Chinese police” or embassy: the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) says these schemes target the US-based Chinese community, tell you you're a suspect in a financial crime and threaten arrest or violence if you don't pay; the caller ID may be spoofed to look like a Public Security Bureau or a Chinese consulate. An official-looking number is not proof of official action.
- Family emergency: the caller says they're a grandchild or relative in trouble, needs money now and asks you not to tell anyone. The FTC says scammers claim it's urgent, that only you can help and that it must stay secret, and may ask you to buy gift cards and read them the numbers on the back.
- Fake Medicare: Medicare says it will never call to sell you anything or visit your home. Give your Medicare card, Medicare number and Social Security number only to your doctor and people who should have them (such as insurers acting for you or a SHIP counselor).
Already paid or shared information? Do this now
Call your bank; if 60 or older, call 833-372-8311, then report to IC3 and the FTC.
Full text and sources
Check items off to organize your thoughts. Your selections reset when you leave this page.
Money taken by someone they know, or neglect: Adult Protective Services
If someone they know takes an elder’s money or neglects them, call 1-833-401-0832.
Full text and sources
If an acquaintance, caregiver or relative takes an elder's money, or the elder is neglected or abused, call California Adult Protective Services (APS) at 1-833-401-0832 and enter the 5-digit ZIP code when prompted to reach the elder's county APS, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. APS also refers you to other agencies. If someone is in danger right now, call 911 first.
A reminder card for elders (keep it by the phone)
Sample template: replace the text in brackets, review it, then send.
If a caller says family is in trouble, that you broke the law or that your account will be frozen: hang up. Call me (___) or someone else in the family (___) on the number saved in your phone. Don't buy gift cards, transfer money or mail cash, and never give a caller your Social Security or Medicare number.
Senior services, doctors, legal help and housing in Chinese, by area.
Share this with your family
Read the senior services and Medicare guides next, and save trusted numbers in your elders' phones.
More guides for seniorsOfficial sources
Check the original sources for your circumstances. Admission prices, hours, rules, and services may change.
- SSA: Protect yourself from Social Security scams(opens in a new tab)
Four signs of a scam, common tactics and where to report.
- Medicare: Reporting Medicare fraud(opens in a new tab)
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227); Medicare never calls to sell you anything or visits your home.
- FBI IC3: Chinese authority impersonation(opens in a new tab)
Targets the US-based Chinese community; has its own complaint option and alerts in Chinese.
- FTC: Scammers use fake emergencies(opens in a new tab)
Reach the family member on a number you know, then check with others.
- Justice Department OVC: National Elder Fraud Hotline(opens in a new tab)
833-372-8311, Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Eastern, for fraud against anyone 60 or older.
- California Department of Social Services: Adult Protective Services (APS)(opens in a new tab)
Statewide 1-833-401-0832; enter a ZIP code to reach your county, 24 hours.
- FBI IC3: File a complaint(opens in a new tab)
Report internet and phone scams; IC3 never contacts you for information or money.
Content updated Oct 14, 2026
Official pages of Social Security, Medicare, the FBI's IC3, the FTC, the Justice Department's National Elder Fraud Hotline and California Adult Protective Services read on Oct 14, 2026. For hotline hours, the agency's page has the final word.
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