Consumer Banking
Stay Alert This Elder Abuse Awareness Month: How Older Adults Can Stay Safe from Scams
During Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June, Chase Bank is warning older adults and their families about common scams and sharing resources on how to stay safe.
Older Americans lost $7.7 billion to scams in 2025 according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report, a 59% increase from 2024. Older adults can be targeted more frequently for scams as bad actors perceive them to be less digitally savvy and generally more trusting.
To help older adults and caregivers stay safe from scams, Chase Bank advises the following:
- Don’t be Persuaded by Urgency: Scammers will try to lure you in by creating a false sense of urgency – pressuring you to act quickly or threatening legal consequences. Don't fall for it. Remember, banks will never ask you for personal information, and government agencies and reputable companies will never threaten you.
- Don’t Trust Caller ID Alone: Scammers can easily spoof phone numbers and clone voices to sound like people you know or businesses you trust, like your bank. When in doubt, hang up, and call back using an official number. Consider downloading a call protector app on your phone to help flag potential scam calls. For added security, set up a code word with your close circle and always confirm callers by contacting them back on a phone number you know to be theirs.
- Plan for the Future: Preparing for the unexpected can help you protect yourself, your money and your loved ones. Chase’s Plan for the Unexpected Guide provides steps to help safeguard your assets and provide clarity for those who matter most. Additionally, designate a Trusted Contact Person (TCP) who may be notified of certain online wire transactions on the customer’s account, helping protect against potential fraud or financial abuse. Chase customers can easily add, change or remove a TCP online or in-app.
It’s important to stay informed about the latest scams. Chase hosts over 1,000 fraud and scam workshops per year across its branches to provide education on common and emerging scam tactics and ways to stay safe. If you do get scammed, file a police report or submit an inquiry to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Visit Chase.com/security to learn more scam prevention tips.