If you've been paying attention to the news lately, you've probably noticed a troubling pattern: scams targeting older adults aren't just continuing, they're accelerating. Adults 60 and older remain the group most frequently targeted — and hit hardest financially — according to the FBI and the National Cybersecurity Alliance. Here in Michigan, the numbers are sobering: older adults lost close to $170 million to fraud last year, a jump of roughly 84% from the year before, with the number of victims up more than 80% as well.
As someone who spends my days walking families through some of the biggest financial decisions of their lives — selling a longtime home, moving into a new community, settling an estate — I see firsthand how much older adults have riding on their savings, their home equity, and their independence. That's exactly why fraud prevention matters so much to me, and why I wanted to share this.
🚨 The Scams Making the Rounds
Michigan's Attorney General has flagged several scams circulating right now that are worth knowing by name: toll and ticket scams, "grandparent" family-emergency calls, AI-generated voice and video scams, phishing emails and texts, and romance or cryptocurrency investment schemes. Scammers are getting more sophisticated, and increasingly, more personal — using real details, familiar voices, and manufactured urgency to catch people off guard.
🚩 The Warning Signs to Watch For
Most scams, no matter how they're dressed up, share the same underlying red flags. Be cautious if:
📞 Someone contacts you out of nowhere and demands immediate action
⏱️ You feel rushed or pressured to decide on the spot
🤫 You're told to keep the conversation a secret
🔐 Someone asks for personal, financial, or account information
💳 You're asked to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
🎉 You're told you've won something but need to pay a fee first
🏧 You're asked to withdraw cash while staying on the phone with the caller
❓ Answers to your questions feel vague or evasive
⚠️ You're threatened with consequences, or promised something that sounds too good to be true
If any of these feel familiar, pause. Hang up. Call the person or organization back using a number you look up independently — never one provided in the message itself.
🏡 Why This Matters So Much in Real Estate and Housing Transitions
I'd add one more layer that's specific to my world: home equity is often the largest asset an older adult has, which makes it a magnet for fraud during a sale, a downsizing move, or an estate settlement. Watch for unsolicited "cash offer" buyers pressuring a quick, below-market sale; fake movers or contractors demanding large upfront deposits; and anyone urging a parent or client to add someone's name to a deed or sign paperwork quickly, without an attorney's review. A trustworthy REALTOR®, elder law attorney, or financial advisor will never rush you.
💬 The Best Defense Isn't Suspicion — It's Conversation
I love how simply this was put in the original piece that inspired this article: the strongest deterrent to fraud isn't distrust, it's talking things through with someone you trust before you act. Isolation is one of the biggest risk factors for older adults, so staying connected to family, friends, and community isn't just good for wellbeing, it's genuine fraud protection.
🆘 If You Think You've Been Scammed
🛑 Stop all contact with the scammer immediately
🏦 Call your bank or credit card company right away to secure your accounts
🗂️ Save every email, text, receipt, or note related to the incident
📢 Report it to the Michigan Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team, your local police, and the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov
🤝 Let's Look Out for Each Other
If something about a call, an offer, or a "buyer" feels off, trust that instinct and ask someone. Whether it's a family member, a neighbor, or me — if you're weighing a housing decision and something doesn't sit right, I'm always happy to be a sounding board, no strings attached. Protecting our parents, our neighbors, and ourselves starts with these conversations.
Sources: FBI Internet Crime Report; Michigan Attorney General's Office; University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging; Administration for Community Living.
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