The holiday season brings increased shopping activity, gift giving and charitable appeals. It also brings a rise in scams that target older adults.

Scammers use the busier pace of the season, along with higher gift card sales, to take advantage of consumers who may be distracted or unaware of emerging fraud tactics. Raising awareness remains one of the most effective ways to prevent financial exploitation.

Why Older Adults Are Targeted

Older adults are often targeted because scammers believe they have savings and may be less familiar with digital tools and fraud schemes. Financial exploitation can lead to significant emotional and financial harm. Each year, older Americans are affected by a range of scams, including government impersonation, online shopping fraud and tech support schemes.

Holiday and Gift Card Scams

Gift card scams increase during November and December. Scammers know retailers sell more cards during these months and use the opportunity to hide fraudulent activity in the rush of holiday spending.

Common holiday gift card tactics include:

• Tampering with cards before purchase. Scammers may record numbers from cards displayed on open racks. Once the card is activated, they quickly drain the balance.
• Impersonation calls and texts. Scammers pose as government agencies, utility companies, retailers, charities or family members and demand urgent payment with gift cards. Any request for payment by gift card is a red flag for fraud.
• Fake online deals. Fraudulent websites and advertisements promote discounted gift cards or holiday items that do not exist and are designed to collect personal or financial information.
• Bogus charity appeals. Fraudulent groups increase activity during the holidays and may request donations in the form of gift cards or digital payments.

Other Scams Affecting Older Adults

Several year-round scams also tend to surge during the holiday season.

• Grandparent and family emergency scams. Scammers claim a loved one is in trouble and request immediate financial help.
• Government and utility impersonation. Fraudsters pose as the IRS, Social Security, Medicare or utility companies to pressure individuals into providing money or personal information.
• Tech support schemes. Pop-up messages or unsolicited calls claim a computer is infected and push the victim to allow remote access or pay for unnecessary services.
• Phishing and online shopping fraud. Fake websites and unsolicited messages attempt to steal personal or financial information.

How To Reduce the Risk of Scams

Residents and families can take several steps to protect themselves:

• Buy gift cards kept behind the counter rather than on open display racks.
• Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails or text messages about orders or deliveries.
• Do not provide personal or financial information to unexpected callers.
• Be aware that Microsoft does not make unsolicited phone calls, and it does not accept Apple gift cards as payment.
• Government agencies and legitimate businesses do not request payment by gift card.
• Verify claims of a family emergency by calling the person directly using a known phone number.
• Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication on online accounts.
• Seek a second opinion from a trusted person if an unexpected request for money or information seems suspicious.

What To Do if a Scam Occurs

Anyone who suspects they are a victim of fraud should act quickly. Contact local law enforcement, notify banks or credit card companies and report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Reporting attempted fraud can also help prevent additional scams in the community.

Helpful Resources

Members may wish to share these resources with residents and families:

National Council on Aging: Top Financial Scams Targeting Older Adults
https://www.ncoa.org/article/top-5-financial-scams-targeting-older-adults/

FBI: Elder Fraud and Common Scams
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/elder-fraud

AARP: Biggest Scams to Watch for in 2025
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/biggest-scams-2025/

LeadingAge Minnesota also has several business partners with legal services expertise, including those who provide education directly to older adults in your communities. Members can find the directory listing on the LeadingAge Minnesota website.