The holidays are a busy season for scammers. People are shopping online, expecting packages, giving to charity, and hearing from family more than usual. That makes it easier for a fake text, call, or email to slip through, especially for an older parent who’s trusting, a little isolated, or not used to how these scams work now.
The numbers are hard to ignore. In its October 2026 report to Congress, the Federal Trade Commission said adults 60 and older reported losing more than $3 billion to fraud in 2025, up from about $2.4 billion the year before. The FTC thinks the real total is much higher, because most people never report it.
Here’s what to watch for this season, how to talk to your parent about it without making them feel foolish, and what to do if they’ve already been hit.
The scams that spike around the holidays
1. “Your package couldn’t be delivered”
A text or email says a delivery failed and asks your parent to click a link to reschedule or pay a small fee. The link leads to a fake site that steals card numbers or passwords.
Tell your parent: Real delivery companies don’t text asking for payment. If they’re expecting something, check the tracking number on the store’s own website or app.
2. Government impersonators
Someone claims to be from Medicare, Social Security, the IRS, or even the FTC. They say there’s a problem: a suspended Social Security number, an unpaid tax bill, a new Medicare card that needs “activating.” They pressure your parent to pay or share personal information right now. Government impersonators were behind $448 million in reported losses by older adults in 2025, according to the FTC.
Tell your parent: Medicare and Social Security don’t call out of the blue asking for money, gift cards, or your number. Hang up and call the agency directly using the number on their card or statement.
Medicare Open Enrollment note: Through December 7, watch out for callers offering “free” Medicare plans or extra benefits in exchange for a Medicare number. For real help comparing plans, call Illinois SHIP at 1-800-252-8966. It’s free and not selling anything.
3. The grandparent scam
A call from someone who sounds like a grandchild: “Grandma, it’s me. I’m in trouble. Please don’t tell Mom.” They’ve been in an accident, arrested, or stranded, and need money fast. Sometimes a “lawyer” or “officer” gets on the line. Newer versions use AI to copy a voice from social media videos.
Tell your parent: Hang up and call the grandchild, or you, directly on a number you already know. Agree on a family code word that a real caller would know.
4. Fake charities
Holiday giving is a natural target. Scammers set up names that sound like real charities, or pose as collectors for local causes, veterans’ groups, or disaster relief.
Tell your parent: Give to charities they already know, through the charity’s own website. Don’t give by gift card, wire, or cryptocurrency. You can look up a charity at Charity Navigator or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.
5. Online shopping and “too good to be true” deals
Social media ads for deeply discounted products, fake stores that take payment and never ship, and pop-ups claiming a prize or gift card.
Tell your parent: Stick with stores they know. Pay by credit card, which offers more protection than a debit card. Be suspicious of any site that only takes gift cards, wire transfers, Zelle, or crypto.
6. Romance and “new friend” scams
The holidays can be lonely, especially for a widowed parent. A new online friend or love interest who’s always just out of reach, and who eventually needs money for travel, medical bills, or an “investment,” is a classic setup. Romance scams cost older adults $384 million in reported losses in 2025.
Tell your parent: Anyone you’ve never met in person who asks for money is a red flag, no matter how long you’ve been talking.
7. Investment and crypto pitches
Investment scams were the biggest category of losses for older adults in 2025, at more than $1 billion. They often start with a friendly text “sent to the wrong number,” a social media contact, or a group chat promising big returns.
Tell your parent: Real advisors don’t cold-text strangers. Any pitch involving crypto, a “guaranteed” return, or pressure to act fast is a scam until proven otherwise.
The warning signs every scam shares
Almost every scam has at least one of these. Share this list with your parent, and maybe tape it next to the phone.
- Urgency: "You have to act right now" or "Don't hang up."
- Secrecy: "Don't tell your family" or "Don't tell the bank why you're withdrawing cash."
- Unusual payment: Gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, a payment app, or cash handed to a courier.
- Fear or excitement: A threat (arrest, a frozen account) or a prize.
- They contacted you: Real agencies and banks rarely reach out first by text or phone asking for information.
The one rule that stops most scams: Hang up, then call back on a number you look up yourself.
Gift cards in particular are a giveaway. The FTC says gift card payments are overwhelmingly tied to impersonation scams. No real government agency, utility, or tech company takes payment in gift cards.
How to bring this up without insulting your parent
Many parents feel embarrassed or defensive when their kids bring up scams. A few approaches that work better:
- Make it about the scammers, not your parent. “These people are professionals. They fool doctors and lawyers too.”
- Share a story. “My coworker’s dad almost lost $5,000 to a fake grandson call.” Real stories land better than warnings.
- Ask, don’t lecture. “Have you been getting any weird texts or calls lately?” You’ll learn a lot.
- Set up a code word together. It’s practical and it’s a little bit fun.
- Offer to be the “call me first” person. “If anyone ever asks you for money, call me before you do anything. I won’t be mad.”
Our printable Scam-Proof Your Parents guide has scripts and a fridge-ready checklist.
Practical protections to set up this season
- Add your parent's phone to the Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov). It won't stop scammers, but it cuts down on legal telemarketing, which makes scam calls easier to spot.
- Turn on spam call filtering through their phone carrier or phone settings.
- Set up account alerts with their bank for large withdrawals or transfers.
- Add a trusted contact to their bank and investment accounts. This lets the bank reach you if they see something suspicious, without giving you control of the account.
- Freeze their credit with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It's free and stops anyone from opening new accounts in their name.
- Talk about a power of attorney for finances, if one isn't in place. See our power of attorney guide.
For the last item, see our power of attorney guide for what Illinois families need.
If your parent has been scammed
Move fast. Some money can be stopped or recovered if you act quickly.
- Call the bank or card company immediately. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and flag the account. For gift cards, call the gift card company right away with the card numbers and receipt.
- Change passwords on any account the scammer may have seen, and check for new email forwarding rules or linked devices.
- Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For internet scams, also report to the FBI at ic3.gov.
- Report Medicare fraud (someone using your parent’s Medicare number) to 1-800-MEDICARE.
- Freeze their credit if any personal information was shared.
- Get local help. In Illinois, if an older adult is being financially exploited by someone they know, including a caregiver or family member, call Adult Protective Services at 1-866-800-1409. AgeOptions (708-383-0258) can also connect you with local help in suburban Cook County.
And most important: don’t shame them. People who feel embarrassed often hide later scams. The goal is for your parent to call you next time, not keep it to themselves.
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Figures from the FTC’s “Protecting Older Consumers 2025–2026” report (October 2026). Phone numbers last verified October 2026.
Editorial Review Status
Reviewed for: Holiday scam types and FTC loss figures from the Protecting Older Consumers 2025–2026 report, warning signs, prevention steps, and local Illinois reporting contacts.
Elder care regulations, costs, and local provider availability change frequently. We commit to regular audits to ensure Gen X families have the most accurate data for the NW Chicago suburbs.
Disclaimer: This guide is educational only and is not legal, financial, medical, or tax advice. Confirm details with a qualified professional before making decisions.
FAQ
Who are scammers most likely to target?
Anyone can be scammed, but scammers often target older adults because they may have savings, be home to answer the phone, and be more trusting of official-sounding callers. Recently widowed or isolated people are at higher risk for romance and “new friend” scams.
Is it safe for my parent to answer calls from unknown numbers?
It’s safer to let unknown calls go to voicemail. Real callers leave messages. If a message claims to be from a bank or agency, look up the number independently and call back.
Can a bank refuse to let my parent withdraw a large amount?
Banks can delay transactions they believe may be financial exploitation, and many will contact a trusted contact person on file. That’s why adding a trusted contact is worth doing now.
My parent gave a scammer their Medicare number. What now?
Call 1-800-MEDICARE to report it, and watch their Medicare Summary Notices for services they didn’t receive. Illinois SHIP (1-800-252-8966) can also help.
Can stolen money ever be recovered?
Sometimes, especially if you report it quickly to the bank, card company, or gift card company. Money sent by wire, crypto, or cash is much harder to get back, which is why prevention matters most.
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Figures from the FTC’s “Protecting Older Consumers 2025–2026” report (October 2026). Phone numbers last verified October 2026.