I’ve noticed something over the last couple of years: scams don’t look like scams anymore. A lot of seniors I’ve spoken with say the same thing — “It sounded normal,” or “The caller seemed polite,” or the classic one, “I didn’t want to be rude, so I stayed on the phone.” And honestly, I get it. Scammers used to be easy to spot. Now they blend in so well that even younger people fall for them. But there are a few habits they can’t hide, no matter how clever they get.
Here are the red flags I keep seeing pop up again and again. If you watch for these, you’ll catch most scams early, before they have a chance to pull you in.
1. A call or message that comes out of nowhere
Think about the last time a company randomly called you just to “check in.” Probably never. Real places—banks, Social Security, Medicare—usually mail you first or contact you through official channels. They don’t suddenly call to chat about your account or ask for your details. When a call surprises you, that’s already a small warning bell. If they immediately ask for personal information, that’s a bigger one.
I always tell people: if you didn’t start the conversation, you don’t have to finish it. Hang up, look up the real number, and call back on your own terms.
2. You feel pressured or rushed
Any time someone makes you feel like you have to do something “right now,” pause. Scammers love rushing people. It’s their number one trick. They’ll say your account is frozen, your benefits are paused, or even worse, that a family member is in trouble. They throw scary words around hoping you won’t think clearly.
A real organization gives you time to ask questions, think about things, and call back later. Fear and deadlines are not normal in legitimate conversations.
3. Odd payment requests
Here’s a simple rule: if someone tells you to pay with gift cards, crypto, prepaid cards, or wire transfer, it’s a scam. Doesn’t matter who they claim to be. No real business asks you to pay with a stack of gift cards from Walmart. But scammers do, because once you read the number on the back, the money is gone forever. No refunds, no reversing, nothing.
It’s embarrassing how many people fall for this, but don’t feel bad — scammers know exactly how to make it sound normal. But it’s not. Not even close.
4. An offer that sounds a little too perfect
Sometimes scams don’t start with fear—they start with excitement. “You’ve won a prize,” or “We have a special medical discount,” or “Your house qualifies for a free upgrade.” Things like that. A lot of these sound harmless at first, especially when the person on the phone seems friendly. But when someone pushes too hard to make you commit quickly, that’s usually when you should step back.
Real opportunities don’t disappear in five minutes. You can take a day, read the paperwork, ask someone else for their opinion. The pressure is the giveaway—not the offer itself.
5. Something feels a little “off” with the website or email
This one is trickier because scammers have gotten very good with graphics and logos. You might click an email from your bank and think it’s real because the colors match, the logo looks official, and the message sounds urgent. The trick is in the details—maybe the web address is slightly misspelled, or the email is written in a way that feels just slightly unusual.
Whenever in doubt, skip the link entirely. Just type the company’s real website into your browser. It takes a few extra seconds, but it avoids a ton of trouble.
What to do if you think you slipped up
Here’s the thing: people of all ages get scammed. It’s not about intelligence—it’s about timing. If you think you gave out information or clicked something suspicious, don’t wait. Call your bank, reset your passwords, and tell someone you trust. Most scams get worse the longer they stay hidden.
Final thoughts
Scams evolve, but the tone, the rush, and the strange requests stay pretty much the same. If someone makes you uncomfortable, or if the situation feels odd, trust that feeling. You don’t have to stay on a call just to be polite. You don’t have to answer every question. And you definitely don’t have to act quickly just because someone else wants you to. Take your time. Verify things yourself. Slowing down is one of the best forms of protection.
