The Scams Targeting Seniors Right Now — And How to Talk About Them

Every week in Canada, seniors lose money to scams that follow the same playbook. A panicked call from a grandchild in trouble. A threatening message from the CRA. A tech support pop-up warning of a virus. A warm, attentive stranger online who seems too good to be true. These are not random events — they are organized, rehearsed fraud campaigns run by professional criminal networks. And they work, repeatedly, on people of every education level and background, because they are designed to exploit human psychology, not human ignorance.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported that Canadians over 60 accounted for the largest share of fraud losses in 2024. The real number is almost certainly much higher — fewer than 5% of fraud incidents are ever reported. Understanding the specific scams being used right now, and knowing how to recognize them, is the most practical protection available.

**The Grandparent Scam.** A senior receives a call — sometimes in the middle of the night — from someone claiming to be a grandchild in crisis. They've been in a car accident. They've been arrested. They're in the hospital. They need money urgently, and they need you not to tell anyone because they're embarrassed or because there are legal reasons for secrecy. Sometimes a second caller poses as a lawyer or police officer to add credibility. The money is requested as cash, wire transfer, or gift cards. The urgency and the secrecy are the two key manipulation tools. The defence is simple: hang up and call your grandchild directly on a number you already have. Do not use any number the caller provides.

**CRA and Government Impersonation.** A call, text, or email claims to be from the Canada Revenue Agency, Service Canada, CERB, or another government body. The message warns of unpaid taxes, a suspended SIN, an outstanding warrant, or a benefit payment that requires immediate action. The caller may be aggressive, threatening arrest or legal action if you don't comply immediately. The CRA does not call demanding immediate payment. It does not threaten arrest. It does not ask for payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer. If you receive a call like this, hang up. If you're concerned, call the CRA directly at 1-800-959-8281 — not a number the caller gave you.

**Tech Support Fraud.** A pop-up appears on the computer warning of a virus or security breach, with a phone number to call. Or a call arrives claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, or an internet provider, warning that the computer has been compromised. The caller asks for remote access to 'fix the problem' — and once they have it, they can access banking information, install malware, or demand payment for fake repairs. Legitimate tech companies do not call you unsolicited about problems with your device. If a pop-up appears, do not call the number. Restart the computer or contact a trusted local technician.

**Romance Scams.** A new connection appears on social media, a dating site, or even through a wrong-number text. They are attentive, warm, and interested. Over weeks or months, a relationship develops — but they are always just out of reach. They live far away, work overseas, are in the military, or are dealing with a series of unfortunate circumstances. Eventually, a financial need arises. It starts small and escalates. The money goes to a person who does not exist. Romance scams targeting seniors are particularly devastating because the loss is not just financial — it is the loss of a relationship that felt real. The warning signs: they never meet in person, they always have a reason they can't video call, and eventually they need money.

**Investment and Lottery Scams.** A message arrives announcing a prize, an inheritance, or an investment opportunity with guaranteed returns. To claim the prize or access the investment, a fee must be paid upfront. The returns are too good to be true — and they are. Legitimate lotteries do not require payment to collect winnings. Legitimate investments do not guarantee returns. If you didn't enter a contest, you didn't win it. If someone is asking for money to give you money, it is a scam.

**How to have the conversation.** Talking to a senior in your life about scam awareness requires care. The goal is not to make them feel surveilled or incapable — it is to share information the way you'd share any useful knowledge. Lead with the scam, not with the person's vulnerability. 'I've been reading about this grandparent scam that's going around — apparently it's happening a lot in Canada right now' is very different from 'I'm worried you might fall for something.' Establish a family code word that can be used to verify identity in an emergency call. Agree that any request for money over the phone will be verified with a callback. Make it a shared plan, not a warning.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501, antifraudcentre.ca) maintains a current list of active fraud campaigns and accepts reports from anyone who has been targeted, whether or not money was lost. Reporting matters — it contributes to the national intelligence that helps identify and disrupt the networks running these campaigns. If a senior in your life has been targeted, the most important thing you can do is respond without judgment, help them report, and remind them that being targeted by a professional fraud operation is not a reflection of their intelligence or capability.