The 2025 Scam Hall Of Shame

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Picture this.

You are settling in with a cup of tea. The phone rings. The screen says “Social Security” or “Medicare” or even your grandson’s name.

By the time you hang up, you could be out ten thousand dollars. Or your entire retirement.

That is not drama. That is what has been happening, over and over, to people over 60 around the world.

According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, total fraud losses reported by older adults jumped from about 600 million dollars in 2020 to 2.4 billion in 2024, with huge growth in cases where seniors lost more than 100,000 dollars. (WGAL)

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center says people over 60 lost almost 4.9 billion dollars to online crime in 2024 alone, with more than 147,000 complaints and average losses above 80,000 dollars. Thousands of older adults lost more than 100,000 dollars each. Internet Crime Complaint Center

So what exactly is going wrong? And more importantly, how do you stay out of the next sad headline?

Let us walk through the 2025 Scam Hall of Shame together, one villain at a time.

For each scam, I will give you:

• The “movie scene” version of how it feels
• The real numbers behind it
• A tiny script you can borrow to shut it down

You do not need tech skills for this. You only need three powers:

• Pause.

• Be a little suspicious.

• Phone a friend.

Scam 1: The Fake Fire Drill For Your Bank Account

Business and government impersonator scams

How it feels

Your phone lights up. The caller ID says it is your bank, Amazon, or the “Fraud Department.” The person on the line sounds serious and calm.

“There has been suspicious activity on your account. We caught it just in time. Your money is at risk. I need you to move it into a safe account while we investigate.”

Your heart drops. You do not want to be careless. So you listen.

They ask you to:

• Move money into a “safe” new account
• Buy cryptocurrency at a Bitcoin ATM
• Pull cash out and hand it to a courier “for safekeeping”

You are not being careless. You are being careful. Which is exactly what they count on.

What the data says

The FTC calls these “false alarm” scams, because they use fake security alerts and crisis stories to push older adults into moving money. Reports from adults 60 and over who lost at least 10,000 dollars to impersonation scams have more than quadrupled since 2020. Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice

Many victims reported cleaning out checking accounts, savings, and even retirement plans after being told it was the only way to protect their money. Federal Trade Commission

Quick script to shut it down

Say:

“I never move money based on a call I did not start. I will hang up and call the number on the back of my card.”

Then actually hang up. Do not feel bad about it. Call your bank or agency using a number you find yourself.

If they get rude when you say this, congratulations. You just caught a scammer.

Scam 2: The “Grandchild In Trouble” Scam

Voice cloning and grandparent scams

How it feels

You hear your grandson’s voice, shaking and terrified.

“Nana, please, do not hang up. I am in trouble. I hit someone with my car. They are hurt. I am at the police station. They say I will go to jail if I do not pay right now.”

Your body reacts before your brain has a chance. This is your child. You will do anything.

In New York, police say scammers are pulling kids’ voices from TikTok, cloning them with AI, and calling grandparents with emergency stories. Some seniors have handed over thousands of dollars. New York Post

In Florida, a woman sent 15,000 dollars after hearing what sounded exactly like her daughter sobbing on the phone. The “attorney” on the line kept her on the hook for more, asking for another 30,000 dollars before the family realized it was a scam. People.com

Similar AI voice scams have been reported in Canada, India, and across the U.S., often targeting older adults with strong family ties. The Times of India

Quick script to shut it down

Before you reach for your wallet, ask one question you already agreed on as a family:

“What is our safe word?”

No safe word, no money.

If you have never set one up, you can still pause. Hang up and call your grandchild or their parent on the number you already have saved.

Scam 3: The “Helpful Tech” That Breaks Everything

Tech support and security pop up scams

How it feels

You are online, reading the news or checking email, when suddenly the whole screen goes red.

“Your computer is infected.”

“Scan computer for update”

“Do not turn off your device.”

“Call Microsoft at this number immediately.”

There is a loud alarm sound. The screen is frozen. You feel trapped.

So you call.

A very kind person answers, walks you through steps, and asks to “remote in” to fix it. They move the mouse, open windows, and “discover” horrible infections.

Then the real damage begins. They charge you hundreds or thousands for fake repairs or, worse, log into your banking and steal the money themselves.

What the data says

The FTC’s 2025 report to Congress says older consumers lost about 159 million dollars to tech support scams in 2024, and that they were much more likely than younger adults to report losing money in these schemes. Federal Trade Commission

The National Council on Aging lists tech support, grandparent, and government impersonator scams as three of the most common financial scams aimed at older adults.

Quick script to shut it down

If a pop up tells you to call a number, do this instead:

• Close the browser if you can.

• If you cannot, shut the computer off. Hold the power button.

• Call a tech helper you already trust, not the number on your screen.

If someone phones you out of nowhere claiming to be “from Microsoft” or “from your internet company,” say:

“I never give remote access to anyone who calls me. If there is an issue, put a notice on my bill.”

Then hang up.

Scam 4: The Glittering “Investment” That Eats Your Retirement

Investment and crypto cons

How it feels

You get a message from a very professional sounding advisor. Or maybe you click on a video where a famous person explains a simple way to double your money.

“You worked hard for this nest egg,” they say. “Let us make it work harder.”

There is a slick website, maybe some fake account screenshots, and a lot of talk about “limited time opportunities” and “guaranteed returns.”

You send the first amount. The online account shows it growing. When you try to withdraw, everything suddenly breaks.

What the data says

The FBI reports that investment fraud caused more losses than any other cybercrime in 2024, with over 6.5 billion dollars reported, much of it tied to cryptocurrency schemes. Federal Bureau of Investigation

One analysis of the FBI data notes that people 60 and older reported more than 2.8 billion dollars in crypto related investment losses, making them the most financially impacted age group. TRM Labs

The FTC says older adults collectively lost more than 750 million dollars to investment scams in 2024 alone. WGAL

Quick script to shut it down

Before you invest in anything new, ask three questions:

Is someone promising “guaranteed” or “risk free” returns

Did the idea arrive by phone call, text, DM, or a random ad

Are they pushing crypto, wire transfers, or payment apps only

If the answer to any of these is yes, treat it as a scam until a licensed, independent advisor you chose yourself tells you otherwise.

You can also look up any investment professional on official registries in your country, such as securities regulators or financial conduct authorities. If you cannot find them, your money should not either.

Scam 5: The Medicare Maze

Health insurance and Medicare cons

How it feels

Your phone rings in the afternoon.

“This is Medicare. We are updating our records. If you do not confirm your number today, your coverage could be interrupted.”

Or:

“You qualify for a refund on your last plan. I just need your Medicare number and bank details to send it.”

You know health insurance is complicated and important, so you ignore the tiny alarm bell in your chest and reach for your wallet.

What the data says

The Federal Communications Commission and consumer advocates warn that Medicare and health insurance scammers frequently spoof caller ID, pretend to be from Medicare, and pressure older Americans to share Medicare IDs, Social Security numbers, or bank information.

The FTC notes that scammers also call offering “Medicare approved” braces or equipment in exchange for your Medicare number, which is then used to bill fraudulent claims.

These schemes do not just risk your money. They can also cause medical identity theft, where your health records show treatments you never received.

Quick script to shut it down

Use this line, word for word:

“Medicare does not call me to ask for my number. If there is an issue, send a letter. I am hanging up now.”

Then hang up. Use the number on your Medicare card or your plan’s official website if you want to double check.

The Three Questions That Beat Almost Every Scam

You have just met five of the worst scams bothering seasoned adults in 2025. Here is the good news.

Although the technology changes, the tricks do not. Almost every scam in this article fails the same three questions.

Whenever you feel your heart race because of a call, email, or text, pause and ask:

1. Who started this conversation?
   If they reached out to you, be careful. Real banks and agencies almost never ask you to fix a crisis that way.
2. What are they asking me to do with my money or information?
   Crypto, gift cards, wire transfers, or urgent requests for account numbers are red flags. The FTC points out that “only scammers” insist on these hard to reverse payment methods.
3. Have I talked to anyone I trust about this yet?
   Scammers want you alone and rushed. Real emergencies can handle a five minute delay while you phone a friend.

You are not responsible for the tricks people use to steal. You are responsible for one thing only: giving yourself enough time and space to think.

If you suspect a scam, you can report it to your national consumer protection agency or to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. In the United States, you can also report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to Medicare directly if health coverage is involved. Internet Crime Complaint Center

And if you feel embarrassed because you clicked or answered or believed someone who sounded kind, remember this:

Scammers practice their stories full time. You are not stupid for believing a well rehearsed lie. You are wise for learning the pattern and choosing to do something different next time.

If you need help figuring out if its a scam — please reach out: https://www.ndunguconsulting.com

or book a discovery session:

https://ndunguconsulting.as.me