Lifestyle

7 Signs Your Parent Is Being Scammed Right Now

By Erica Coleman · September 30, 2026

Americans over 60 lost more than $7.7 billion to scammers last year. Fewer than 1 in 20 victims ever files a report. That gap exists because scammers deliberately isolate their targets from the family members who would recognize what was happening — and by the time the family finds out, the money is gone. If you have an aging parent, the warning signs are usually visible weeks or months before the money disappears.

Here are the seven behaviors that most often signal an older parent is being targeted or actively scammed.

They’ve been buying unusual amounts of gift cards. Gift cards — iTunes, Google Play, Target, Amazon — are one of scammers’ preferred payment methods because they’re nearly untraceable. Sudden unusual purchases, including large amounts of gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, are among the most consistent warning signs of a scam in progress, consumer resources note. Watch bank statements and credit card statements for gift card purchases that don’t fit their normal spending.

They’ve become secretive about their finances or phone calls. A parent who has always been open about money suddenly won’t discuss it. They step out of the room to take calls. They close the laptop when you come in. Reluctance to discuss finances or becoming unusually secretive about phone calls, emails, or mail is a hallmark sign of a scam that hasn’t been detected yet. Scammers actively coach victims to keep the “opportunity” or “emergency” a secret from family.

They mention a new online friend, romantic interest, or “helper.” Scammers often build weeks or months of relationship before asking for money. If your parent is suddenly texting or video-chatting with someone new they haven’t met in person — especially someone abroad, in the military overseas, or a “professional” who reached out through Facebook — that’s the classic setup for a romance scam. A “new best friend” who suddenly wants to handle their finances is an even bigger warning sign.

They’ve made unexplained large withdrawals or wire transfers. Any large, unusual bank withdrawal without a clear explanation warrants a conversation. If your parent has been to the bank multiple times recently for cash withdrawals or wire transfers they can’t or won’t explain, contact their bank about setting up transaction alerts on the account.

They’ve mentioned winning a prize, sweepstakes, or lottery. Real lotteries and sweepstakes don’t require winners to pay taxes, fees, or “processing charges” upfront. If your parent mentions winning something they don’t remember entering, and there’s a payment involved to collect, it’s a scam. Sweepstakes and prize scams are among the most common — and cost older Americans over $130 million a year, per FBI data.

They talk about someone from Microsoft, Apple, or “tech support” who helped them with their computer. Legitimate tech companies never call consumers unsolicited to warn about viruses. If your parent mentions letting “someone from Microsoft” fix their computer remotely, that’s tech support fraud — one of the most common scam types targeting older adults, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reports. Immediately have their computer checked by a trusted technician and change every password.

Their behavior has changed after phone calls or internet use. Anxiety, confusion, sadness, or defensiveness after time on the phone or computer is a behavioral tell that something upsetting is happening. Scammers use urgency and fear as weapons — impersonating the IRS, the Social Security Administration, or a family member in crisis. If your parent seems shaken after calls but won’t say why, that’s the moment to gently ask what’s going on.

If you recognize any of these signs, act quickly. Call the parent’s bank to enable transaction alerts and holds on large withdrawals. Change email, banking, and streaming passwords. File a complaint at ic3.gov and with your state attorney general. The FBI’s Recovery Asset Team froze $32.9 million in reported elder-fraud losses in 2025 through fast intervention — but they can only help if the family reports early.

The most important thing to do isn’t to lecture. It’s to make sure your parent knows they can tell you when something feels wrong, without judgment. Shame keeps most victims silent. Take that away and you often take away the scammer’s power.