Senior Citizens: Don’t Share These 5 Things With Strangers (Scam Alert!)

If you’re over 60 and reading this, you should know that scammers are going after you more than ever before. Not because you don’t care. Not because you’re not smart. But they know just how to take advantage of your generosity, trust, and good intentions.

In 2023, people over 60 in the U.S. lost more than $3.4 billion to fraud. And these scams weren’t hard to figure out. They came in the form of familiar voices, urgent phone calls, bogus government documents, and even what looked like texts from your bank or Medicare.

I’ve been studying how scams work for more than 20 years, and I can tell you this with complete confidence: most of them start with a stranger asking for something that seems innocent.

• “Just check your Social Security number.”
• “Can you quickly confirm your Medicare ID?”
• “Your grandchild is in trouble. Can you help?”

That’s how it all begins. And sometimes, that’s all you need.

This essay isn’t only a warning; it’s also a guide to keeping yourself safe. No matter how important or convincing the scenario sounds, I’ll show you five things you should never tell a stranger. They can inflict real harm—financially, emotionally, and legally—once they have that information.

Let’s start by talking about how these scams work and why so many clever individuals fall for them. You’re not the only one. But you do need to be ready.

The 5 Things You Should Never Share With Strangers

There is no polite way to say this: if a stranger asks for any of the things listed below, hang up, walk away, or delete the message right away. Scammers would love to get their hands on these five pieces of information. They can open credit cards, steal your benefits, or empty your funds before you even know what’s going on with just one of them.

Let’s talk about each one:

1. Full or Last Four Social Security Number

You should never give out this information. It’s the most important thing about you, plain and simple. Scammers can use your SSN to open accounts in your name, file phony tax returns, or even take your benefits.

Warning Sign Tip: The real SSA will never call you out of the blue and ask for your whole SSN. Stop talking.

2. Number for Medicare

You might not know it, but your Medicare card is very powerful. Scammers use stolen Medicare IDs to file bogus claims, order equipment, or bill for treatments you never got. This costs taxpayers billions of dollars and puts your own coverage at danger.

A common scam is to call you and imply that your Medicare card needs to be updated or replaced. They want your number to “check your eligibility.” That’s the catch.

Don’t believe it: Medicare will never call you about this.

3. Account or Routing Numbers

This one is clear, but it happens every day. Some fraudsters will pretend to be part of your bank’s “fraud team” and declare they see something fishy going on. They’ll ask for your account or routing number to “secure” your money. They can take money out or write checks in your name once they have it.

A popular phrase to listen for is “We’re calling from your bank’s fraud department.” Can you validate the number that ends in 1425?

Don’t say yes. Don’t agree. Just hang up and call your bank instead.

4. OTPs from your phone that can only be used once

This is a new strategy that is surprising a lot of people. If someone phones or texts you and says, “You will get a code on your phone; just read it back to me,” stop right there.

Your bank, email, or payment app is most likely sending you that code. Giving it to them lets them get into your account right away.

A good rule of thumb is to never share a one-time passcode. With anyone. For any reason at all.

5. Personal Information You’d Use for Security Questions

Think about the “harmless” topics that scammers like to ask:

• Your mother’s last name before she got married
• The town where you were born
• The name of your first pet
• The high school you attended to

These aren’t simply interesting information; people often use them to change their passwords. Scammers can put together your profile from little things you say, especially on social media or in surveys.

Be careful if a stranger starts asking you questions like this, even if it’s just light talk. It could be more than just small conversation.

On their own, these five things might not seem like much. But to a scammer, they give them full access to your identity.

The Most Common Scams Targeting Seniors Today

You don’t have to fall for everything a scammer says; you just have to fall for one thing. And they’re getting better at making those things look like they are real.

1. Scams involving Medicare and health insurance

Usually, they start with a call indicating that your Medicare card is about to run out or that there is a problem with your coverage. They might urge you to “confirm your number” or even pay for a new card.

Why it works: They use real Medicare language and sound official. It feels urgent for older people who are really sick.

Medicare will never call you to ask for personal information, so keep that in mind. If someone calls you like this, hang up.

2. Scams involving grandparents

This one really hits home. A fraudster pretends to be your grandchild or someone else speaking for them and says they were in an accident, were arrested, or are stuck in a distant country. They ask you not to inform their parents.

Why it works: It triggers your impulse to protect yourself. Logic stops working in that moment of panic.

Advice: Always check. You should hang up and call your grandchild or another family member immediately.

3. Scams for tech support

You get a call or a window on your computer that says, “Your device is infected.” They want you to install software or let them access your computer from afar so they can “fix” it.

Why it works: It plays on fear and doubt, especially if you’re not good with technology.

Tip: A real IT corporation, like Microsoft or Apple, won’t call you out of the blue. Do not allow remote access until you asked for it.

4. Scams involving banks or credit cards

You get a call or text that seems to be from your bank. They say something odd is going on and urge you to confirm your account or read back a security code.

Why it works: It appears like it could be real. Scammers can accurately copy official texts and fake numbers.

Recently, there’s also been a rise in fake toll payment text scams that trick people into clicking suspicious links and entering payment info.

Tip: Don’t ever read a one-time passcode to someone over the phone. If you’re not sure, hang up and call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card.

If you’re a veteran or receive VA benefits, be aware that scammers are also targeting you with fake VA overpayment scams that sound extremely convincing.

5. Phony charities and requests for donations

Very prevalent over the holidays or after a calamity. You will get a call or email requesting you to provide money to aid people who were hurt in a recent catastrophe.

Why it works: It pulls at your heartstrings, and good people want to help.

Tip: Always look into the charity first. Before handing them any money, go to their official website.

6. Scams involving lotteries or sweepstakes

They say, “You won!” But there’s a catch: you have to pay taxes, shipping, or a processing fee first. That’s the trick.

Why it works: It promises something fun and surprising, and you feel good about being “chosen.”

Tip: You can’t win a sweepstakes if you didn’t enter one. You should never have to pay to get a prize.

Just knowing these warning signs can help you stay safe. Scammers use fear, surprise, and emotion to get what they want. But their techniques don’t work once you’ve seen the script.

Some scams also take advantage of seniors planning trips, using travel scam tricks like fake vacation rentals or bogus cruise deals.

What To Do If You Think You’ve Been Targeted (Or Already Shared Info)

Let’s pretend you already picked up the phone. You might have answered some questions. Or maybe you just have a gut feeling that something was off.

Don’t freak out, but don’t ignore it either.

Scammers depend on people not speaking up. They know that people are too embarrassed to speak up. But acting quickly is important. It might mean the difference between a slight scare and a big loss.

Step by step, here’s what to do:

1. Stop all contact right away

Stop if you’re still on the phone or answering messages. Stop the email or phone number. Don’t say anything else, even if it’s just to say “I know you’re a scammer.” That lets them know you’re still interested.

2. Change your passwords and keep an eye on your accounts.

If you gave someone your account login information or read a code from your phone, you should consider that access may be compromised.

• Right away, change the passwords for your Medicare/SSA, email, and online banking accounts.
• If you can, turn on two-step verification. Your bank or email provider can help.
• Check your recent transactions for charges that don’t seem right.

Call your bank’s fraud department right once if someone has taken money from your bank account or credit card. If you tell your bank about unauthorized charges right away, they may usually reverse them.

3. Tell the right people about the scam

Reporting helps keep other people safe, even if you didn’t lose money.

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
• FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) is the number to call to report Medicare fraud.
• Scams involving the Social Security Administration (SSA)

Tip: Save any phone numbers, emails, or screenshots you get. They can help police find patterns.

4. Set up a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze (If You Shared Sensitive Info)

If you handed away your Social Security number, you might want to put a fraud warning or a credit freeze on your credit reports with the credit bureaus:

• Experian
• Equifax
• TransUnion

A fraud warning tells lenders to check your identity before giving you credit. A freeze stops all new credit until you lift it.

5. Talk to a friend you trust

You might skip this part, but it’s vital. Scammers cut off their victims from other people. If something doesn’t seem right, call a family member, the fraud department at your bank, or even a senior helpline. You’re not being overdramatic. You’re being smart.

1-877-908-3360 is the number for the AARP Fraud Watch Helpline.

Keep in mind that acting swiftly not only helps you, but it also helps keep others safe. Most scams don’t get reported. That’s how they keep getting away with it.

Quick Checklist: How to Stay Safe (Starting Now)

By now, you know how easy it is for scammers to trick people. But you also know how strong you are when you stay aware and up to date.

To help you stay safe, here’s a simple guide to follow. You can print it, keep it, or send it to someone else who might need it.

Before You Give Anything to a Stranger:

• Did I get in touch with them, or did they get in touch with me?
• Don’t believe caller ID; scammers can make up numbers.
• Never give your entire name, Social Security number, or Medicare ID over the phone.
• Don’t read any code or password that someone sends you in a text, even if they say they’re from your bank.

Stop if the person seems upset or in a hurry. Hang up and call the official number to check.

Things You Should Never Tell Strangers:

• Number for Social Security
• ID number for Medicare
• Number for your bank account or route
• Information about credit cards
• A one-time security code given to your phone

Good Habits That Will Keep You Safe:

• Let calls from people you don’t know go to voicemail.
• AARP and the FTC both offer scam alerts.
• If you aren’t seeking for new loans, freeze your credit.
• Make sure your passwords are strong and change them every few months.
• Talk to your friends and family about scams in an honest way. It keeps everyone on their toes.
• If something seems wrong, trust your gut.

You don’t have to explain yourself to anyone on the phone. No matter how official they sound, you don’t have to answer anyone right away.

You can hang up if you want. You can ask for time. You can say no.

One Last Thing

You’re already ahead of the scammers if you’ve read this far. People don’t pay attention until it’s too late.

But now you know what to look for. And that offers you something that scammers don’t want you to have: power.

Stay smart, have faith in yourself, and share what you know. Scammers depend on individuals not saying anything. We need to make sure they don’t get away with it.

Have you or someone close to you ever had a call or message that seemed strange, like the ones recounted here? What made you think something was wrong?

Tell us about your experience. It might help someone else not make the same mistake.

Want More Tips to Stay Safe?

Visit FameTribute.com for easy guides, scam alerts, and helpful advice made for seniors and their families.

We share simple ways to protect your money, identity, and peace of mind — without the tech confusion.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for general awareness and educational use only.
It should not be taken as financial, legal, or cybersecurity advice. Always verify details with official sources or consult a qualified professional. FameTribute.com is not responsible for actions taken based on this content.