Scammers have stepped up their game. With artificial intelligence and voice-cloning tools, criminals can now create text messages, emails, websites and even phone calls that look and sound real, sometimes in the voice of someone you love. According to the FBI, Americans 60 and older filed more than 201,000 fraud complaints in 2025, with reported losses topping $7.7 billion, about 37% more than the year before.
A new article from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) follows a senior center in Sun City, Arizona, that hosted a scam prevention workshop for its members. Participants shared their close calls, from a text claiming someone had made a payment toward a car loan to a phone call that nearly ended with a couple handing over their bank account numbers. Their biggest takeaway? Scams can catch anyone off guard, even people who consider themselves careful and tech-savvy.
The good news is that a few simple habits go a long way. If an unexpected message asks for money or personal information, contact the person or organization directly using a number you trust. If someone pressures you to act right away, pause and take time to check the story. If a caller sounds like a family member in trouble, hang up and call your loved one directly. And never pay anyone with gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency, or share a password or verification code.
Most importantly, being targeted by a scam is not a reflection of your intelligence. If something doesn’t feel right, talk it over with someone you trust, like a family member, your bank or the staff here at the Cathedral City Senior Center.
Read the full story from NCOA: As Scams Evolve, One Arizona Senior Center Helps Older Adults Stay Ahead