LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — With National Grandparents Day arriving this Sunday, federal investigators in Little Rock are urging families to keep an extra-close eye on seniors’ finances- because the scams targeting them aren’t just common, they’re constantly evolving.
IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent John Siddons said scams that once tended to be more local and in-person, like someone showing up at the door claiming to fix windows or a roof, have shifted dramatically with technology. “With the implementation of advanced technology and the internet, people from all around the world now have the ability to make contact with anyone in the United States,” he said. That means seniors can be targeted by scammers “from any country” who try to take advantage of trust and gain access to “their computers, their phones, their bank accounts,” then get money transferred out.
No matter how the scam arrives, by email, phone call or even in person, Siddons said there are two big warning signs to watch for: whether someone is trying to get personal information, and whether they’re trying to get money.
He said that can look like requests for a birthday, Social Security number, credit card number or bank information, along with pressure or instructions designed to get someone to send money.
Another red flag: who started the conversation. Siddons said it’s “very unlikely” a victim is the one who first reaches out. Instead, scammers typically make the initial contact.
Among the schemes investigators see often are romance scams, where scammers seek out vulnerable people on dating sites or social media. Siddons said one group frequently targeted includes widowers who join widow dating websites. He said scammers may build a relationship and then claim they’re stuck overseas, sometimes saying they’re on a military base or an oil rig, and need money to get out of a contract so they can come to the United States.
In those cases, Siddons said victims may speak with the scammer by phone, receive pictures, and in some situations scammers “could use artificial intelligence to make video calls and hide their face.” But he said generally, victims will never meet the person in real life and will only end up sending money.
He also warned about “grandparent scams,” where a senior gets a call from someone pretending to be a grandchild and claiming there’s an emergency, such as being in the hospital, in a car accident or under arrest, and needing money right away. Siddons said urgency is a major clue. If the caller is pushing someone to act immediately and discouraging them from calling police or other family members, that’s a strong sign it’s a scam.
If someone believes they’ve been targeted or already sent money, Siddons said the first step is to cut off contact immediately. From there, he said victims should call local police, reach out to trusted family members, and contact any banks the scammers may have accessed. He also recommended changing passwords for accounts including email and social media.
In extreme cases, Siddons said some victims have even taken steps to change their Social Security number.
For reporting and help, he pointed to the National Elder Fraud Hotline, the FBI’s Criminal Complaints Center (IC3), and the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Initiative, which he said includes helpful materials online. He also said people can email their local IRS Criminal Investigation office.
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