Scammers often target older adults because they tend to be trusting, polite, and financially stable. These fraud attempts can be emotional and convincing — a “grandchild in trouble,” a “tech support issue,” or a “government payment problem.” No matter the story, they all rely on the same thing: urgency and fear.
Recently, we’ve seen a rise in scams that start with someone “offering to help.” The scammer might say they need to log in to your account for you, or ask you to download an app that lets them “see your screen” to fix an issue. Once they have access, they can drain accounts in minutes.
Here’s what to watch for and how to protect your loved ones.
Common scams to review together
- “Grandparent” emergency calls:Someone claims a loved one is hurt or in jail and needs money right away. They’ll beg you to keep it secret.
- Fake tech support:Pop-ups that say “Your computer is infected” and ask to install a “mirror” or “remote access” app. Once installed, they can see everything on your device.
- Sweepstakes or charity scams:You’ve “won” a prize — but need to pay taxes or fees first. Real contests never work that way.
- Government imposters:Posing as the IRS, Medicare, or Social Security, often threatening arrest or loss of benefits if you don’t pay immediately.
A simple safety plan
- Never share your online banking username or password.No one from Farmers State Bank or any legitimate business will ever ask for that information.
- Do not download or install apps at someone’s request— especially if they claim they need to “help” you fix something or show you how to transfer money.
- Create a shared call list of trusted contacts — family members, your banker, doctor, and attorney — so you can quickly verify any suspicious request.
- Enable account and transaction alerts in Online Banking to spot unusual activity right away.
- Tighten social media privacy to limit what scammers can learn about you and your family.
- Set aside a weekly check-in with a family member or caregiver to review bank statements together.
Helpful guides
If you or someone you know may have shared account details, downloaded a suspicious app, or sent money to a scammer, contact us immediately. We can help secure your accounts and guide you through the next steps. Then report the incident to the FTC and your local law enforcement agency.
Protecting seniors takes teamwork — and a quick conversation today can prevent a costly mistake tomorrow.
