Skip to main content

The FTC has a long history of protecting people from scams.  As part of its ongoing efforts to protect people in every community, the FTC recently took steps to stop two schemes harming older adults: a tech support scam and a sweepstakes scam.

This latest tech support scam, which appears to impact older adults, has a lot in common with other scams we’ve seen. Some scammers pretend to be calling from the technical support department of a well-known company. Others send pop-up messages warning you about a problem with your computer. They want you to believe your computer is infected with a virus, or that a hacker is trying to access your computer. It’s all a ploy to get you to pay for bogus technical support you don’t need. Find out how you can help someone you know recognize and avoid a tech support scam.

The other operation appears to target older adults with a sweepstakes scam. The companies behind the scam send mailers that make people think they’ve won a $1 million prize (or more!), and that the recipient only needs to pay a small fee to claim it. Find out how you can help someone you know avoid a prize or sweepstakes scam.

If you think you see a scam, talk with someone. Your story could help someone avoid that scam. Then report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint. Your story could help the FTC stop the scammers.
 

Search Terms
information technology
malware
scam
Topics
Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts
Scams
All Scams
Scams Against Older Adults
FTC Staff
April 19, 2018

In reply to by Jeff

You can report the scammer to the FTC at FTC.gov/Complaint. The information you give will go into a secure database that law enforcement uses for investigations.

Jewel
April 19, 2018
Last year I fell for the tech support scam. I had Avast o my system and someone in Easter Europe or Russia called. I know that the virus cos use mostly Russian based or former satellite countries for tech support. So i let them log into my macbook pro. Then when I staying at a hotel near SFO my mac had emails jetting in on the top right at least 200 of them, some were password change requests. I didn't want to log in so I just changed all my passwords on Ipad. MacBooks don't use IOS, I learned that they have an open architecture, supposedly safer than windows but not as safe as iphone or ipads. So it's the graveyard. Am afraid to open it but I did shut it down at the hotel before i flew to the east coast and never turned it on again.
crazyfish
April 20, 2018
So far this week, I've received three (3) calls from the IRS claiming I owe back taxes and, if I don't do something immediately (like giving them a credit card number, etc,), I will be arrested. It is BS, the IRS does not work that way.
Mighty Mouse H…
April 29, 2018
Today the call WAS from ELIZABETH ABOUT REWARDS. LAST WEEK IT WAS FROM ANNA. I AM SO TIRED OF THIS PERSON CALLING. IT IS EVERY DAY. NO MATTER WHAT TIME. 803 572 2214
Kay
April 30, 2018
My parents (late 70's early 80's) have gotten four different calls from someone pretending to be their grandson with the story that they are in another city and got in an accident, and need money. They say they are embarrassed and don't want to tell their parents. My folks are wise to it now, but the first call really shook my Mom up. I'd like to get a hold of this guy (once it was a girl, so her too) and throw them into the deepest pit I can find. Preying on older folks is despicable.
Notsodumb1953
May 03, 2018
My "older" husband has fallen for the fake check twice. They target artist's who are desperate to sell their art.
Notsodumb1953
May 03, 2018
And he also fell for the fake Microsoft error screen. Cost him $600 in fake computer service to remove a fake virus
jagracer
May 07, 2018
I started writing down the numbers that were calling, then I called Do not call and reported them. Next time they called, I waited until they paused for my response and told them they had been reported to do not call. Suddenly a lot less calls. The last one was telling me they were calling from my financial source. I told them I didn't have one, they hung up. LOL
Shell
May 16, 2018
My mom was scam with the grandparent call. Except that she purchased the cards but realizing something was fishy did not call them back with the card numbers. She is trying to get her money back from the purchase of cards. Store won’t refund. Can any one help
FTC Staff
June 07, 2018

In reply to by Shell

She could contact the company that issued the cards.

Redbird1936
July 06, 2018
I have been getting E-Mail advertising Wrap Car. They will pay $600 a week for putting advertisement on my car. for three months Can you tell if this is scam?
xmasgirl
July 15, 2018
I got a stupid pop up saying to call Microsoft which I know is a scam when I tried to get into my bank it said someone maybe trying to acess your account I had to close the page because my pc wont work if I dont they better not steal from me,i didn't click anything just cancel finally the stupid page closed and I check my virus protector said no viruses what the heck am I am suppose to do ? I dont need this,
maxxumselttest…
January 30, 2019
This computer fraud says I won a watch all I pay is shipping of $5.95. As it turns out they charge me ever month after that for $95.35 a watch they send every month. IT's worth about $2.00. I called to complain and said they would cancel it. But,$300.00 has already been taken out of credit card. I have got them to return $120.00 but ,watch out for this scammer from California 77240 zip code.
kacr
November 08, 2019
my mother received a phone call from a 732 are code stating he was her oldest grandson and had been in a wreck, asking for funds to be sent she has her wits about her and caught it and hung up
Sarah C
February 05, 2020
Want to know if the 700 Profir Club is honest or not?
Return to top