Tech Scams Targeting Seniors: How to Spot Them and What to Do

According to the FBI, Americans over 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to online fraud in 2023 — and tech scams are one of the fastest-growing categories. Scammers specifically target seniors because they tend to be more trusting, less familiar with how tech companies actually communicate, and more likely to have savings worth stealing.

This guide covers the most common tech scams targeting seniors right now, the warning signs to watch for, and exactly what to do if you or a loved one gets caught in one.

What it looks like: A pop-up fills your screen with a loud alarm sound and a message saying your computer is infected with a virus. It displays a phone number and tells you to call immediately or your computer will be locked or your data stolen.

The truth: Microsoft, Apple, and Google never contact you this way. These pop-ups are fake — designed to frighten you into calling a number where a scammer will ask for remote access to your computer and your credit card.

What to do:

• Do not call the number
• Do not click anything on the pop-up
• Press Ctrl + W (Windows) or Command + W (Mac) to close the browser tab
• If the pop-up won't close, hold the power button to shut down your computer
• Restart your computer — the pop-up will be gone

What it looks like: You receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, your internet provider, or even the Social Security Administration. They say there's a problem with your account or computer and offer to help fix it — but they need remote access to your device.

The truth: No legitimate tech company calls you out of the blue to tell you about a problem. If someone calls you unsolicited and asks for remote access to your computer, it is a scam — 100% of the time.

What to do:

• Hang up immediately
• Do not give them remote access under any circumstances
• If you're worried there might be a real problem, call the company directly using the number on their official website — not the number the caller gave you

What it looks like: A scammer — posing as tech support, the IRS, Social Security, or even a grandchild in trouble — tells you that you owe money and the only way to pay is with gift cards. They'll ask you to buy Google Play, Apple, or Amazon gift cards and read them the numbers on the back.

The truth: No government agency, tech company, or legitimate business ever asks for payment in gift cards. Ever. This is always a scam.

What to do:

• Refuse and hang up
• If you've already purchased gift cards, call the gift card company immediately — they may be able to freeze the funds
• Report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov

What it looks like: You receive an email or call saying you're owed a refund from a tech company (often Microsoft or a security software company). They ask you to log into your bank account while they're connected to your computer so they can "deposit" the refund — then they claim they accidentally sent too much and ask you to send the difference back via wire transfer or gift card.

The truth: The "deposit" is fake. They're manipulating what you see on your screen. Any money you send back is real money going to a scammer.

What to do:

• Never let anyone access your computer while you're logged into your bank account
• Hang up on anyone who asks you to send money back after a "refund"

What it looks like: An email arrives saying your antivirus subscription is about to expire and will auto-renew for $299 (or some alarming amount). It includes a phone number to call to cancel. When you call, they ask for your bank account information to "process the cancellation."

The truth: This email is fake. Calling the number connects you to a scammer who will steal your banking information.

What to do:

• Do not call the number in the email
• Check your actual antivirus subscription by going directly to the company's website
• If you're not sure whether the email is real, ask a trusted family member or tech helper to look at it first

No matter what form a scam takes, watch for these red flags:

• Urgency and panic — scammers want you to act before you think
• Requests for remote access to your computer
• Requests for gift cards as payment
• Unsolicited contact — they called or emailed you, not the other way around
• Requests to keep it secret from family members
• Threats — your computer will be locked, your account will be closed, you'll be arrested

If any of these are present, stop the interaction immediately.

If you gave a scammer remote access to your computer, shared financial information, or sent money:

1. Disconnect from the internet — unplug the ethernet cable or turn off Wi-Fi
2. Call your bank immediately — report the fraud and ask them to freeze or monitor your accounts
3. Change your passwords from a different device (phone or tablet) before using the affected computer again
4. Have your computer checked — a scammer with remote access may have installed software that gives them ongoing access
5. Report it — file a report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and with your local police

If you're concerned that your computer may have been compromised, or if you'd like help setting up better security so scams are easier to spot and block, My Neighbor Tech is here.

We provide in-home tech support for seniors across Baltimore County, Harford County, Howard County, and Carroll County, MD — including virus and malware removal, security setup, and one-on-one technology training.

Call (410) 870-9233 or schedule a visit.