The holiday season should be about family, joy, and giving. Unfortunately, it’s also the busiest time of year for con artists, with reports of elder fraud spiking every year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Scams targeting seniors are especially common during these months, as criminals exploit the rush, emotions, and generosity of the season.
Now’s the time to brush up on senior scam prevention so you can protect yourself and your loved ones this holiday season. Here are 10 holiday scams to watch out for in 2025 and practical tips to avoid them.
1. Fake Charities
Scammers know many people want to give back during the holidays, so they prey on this generosity with fake charities. One of the most common senior scams involves sham organizations asking for donations through phone calls, email, snail mail, or phony websites. These scams targeting seniors are especially dangerous because they not only steal your money but also your personal information.
Senior scam prevention tips:
- Research any organization before giving. Verify charities through trusted sites or sources like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.
- Never give payment information over the phone or by email.
- Real charities will never pressure you or ask for payment through gift cards or wire transfers.
2. Online Shopping Traps
Online shopping makes life easier during the holidays, but it also opens the door to elder fraud. Scammers set up fake websites that mimic real stores. These will often draw you in with low prices or “deals,” but the purchased item never arrives – or worse your credit card and personal info is stolen. Others send “phishing” emails pretending to be from legitimate companies, leading you to click harmful links that steal your credit card or bank info.
Senior scam prevention tips:
- Shop only on well-known retailer websites you’ve used before.
- Look for the lock symbol in your web browser’s address bar to ensure it’s a safe site.
- Avoid clicking on hyperlinks in unsolicited emails.
- When in doubt, type the website directly into your browser instead of clicking through a link.
- Never pay for online merchandise with a debit card. Credit card companies usually offer elder fraud protection and reimbursement policies if something goes wrong, but with debit cards, the money comes directly out of your bank account – and it can be much harder to get it back if you’re scammed.
Find out more about cyber scams targeting seniors here.
3. Package Delivery Scams
Package deliveries are more frequent during the holidays – and scammers know this. They’ll send texts or emails pretending to be from delivery services, asking you to “confirm delivery” or pay a small fee. They’ll then send you to a link that installs malware on your device or steals your information. This is a growing form of elder fraud that’s easy to miss in the busy-ness of the holiday season.
Senior scam prevention tips:
- Never click links in texts or emails.
- Go directly to the shipping company’s official website and enter the tracking number from your order confirmation.
- You’ll almost never need to pay an extra fee to receive a package.
4. Gift Card Scams
Gift cards are a popular holiday gift, but also a favorite tool for scammers targeting seniors. You might get a call pretending to be from the IRS claiming you’re in tax trouble, a utility company saying you missed a payment, or even a grandchild in distress asking for help. The scammer will then instruct you to buy gift cards and read the numbers over the phone.
Senior scam prevention tips:
- If anyone asks for a gift card, it’s a scam. Period. No government agency or legitimate business will ever demand payment via gift cards. Hang up immediately if you receive this type of request.
- If someone is requesting money urgently or secretly, you can usually assume it’s a scam.
- If you’re still unsure, call the official phone number for the IRS or utility company listed on their secure website, and ask them to verify the information.
Learn more about gift card scams targeting seniors here.
5. Grandparent Scams (#1 Scam Targeting Seniors)
This emotional senior scam peaks in December. The caller pretends to be a grandchild or relative in trouble – sometimes even using AI-generated voices – and begs for money to get out of an emergency.
For example: “Grandma, it’s your grandson Jim. I’ve been arrested and need $10,000 for bail. Please don’t tell anyone – I’m so embarrassed!”
Senior scam prevention tips:
- Always pause before acting. Scammers use fear and urgency to pressure you into reacting fast before you’ve had the change to verify what’s really going on.
- Hang up and call your relative directly from your contacts. Don’t call back the same number.
- If the relative in question doesn’t pick up, check with another relative or friend. Even if the caller says they would be “embarrassed” if you told, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
- If the caller says they are in jail, you can call the jail directly to see if they have anyone by that name.
- Never send money without verifying the story first.
Read: 17 Stress-Free Holiday Tips for Seniors
6. Travel Deal Fraud
Many seniors book trips to visit family during the holidays, and scammers take advantage by offering fake travel deals or vacation rentals. You might pay for a “discounted” vacation – only to find the deal doesn’t exist, and the scammer took your money and credit card info.
Senior scam prevention tips:
- Book directly with airlines, hotels, or trusted travel agents.
- Avoid third-party sites that are unfamiliar or poorly reviewed.
- Be wary of any deal that requires immediate payment over the phone.
7. Home Visit Scams
Not all scams targeting seniors happen online. Some occur right at your front door. Around the holidays, scammers may pose as utility workers, delivery drivers, or handymen offering “emergency” services like snow removal or roof repair. Their goal is often to pressure you for cash, steal valuables, or scope out your home.
Senior scam prevention tips:
- Never open the door for unexpected visitors, especially if you’re home alone.
- Ask for official ID and call the company to confirm the visitor’s identity.
- Don’t pay cash on the spot or make quick decisions.
- Get quotes in writing, preferably on the company’s formal stationery.
- Research the company online or through local directories. Check the Better Business Bureau and online reviews like Google Business to verify legitimacy.
For peace of mind, use GoGo Home to find trusted, pre-screened local professionals. Whether you need a handyman, a plumber, or seasonal help, GoGo Home connects you with reliable, trustworthy providers, so you don’t have to worry about surprise visits or senior scams. Learn more about GoGo Home here.
8. Holiday Event Ticket Senior Scams
Scammers post fake listings for holiday concerts or plays, selling bogus tickets through social media or shady websites. Victims pay for tickets that never arrive or find out the event doesn’t even exist.
Senior scam prevention tips:
- Only purchase tickets through an event’s official website or a verified reseller.
- Research the event to confirm it’s real and reputable.
- Avoid deals that seem too good to be true.
- If asked to pay via Venmo, Zelle, or gift cards, that’s a red flag.
9. Telephone Donation and Survey Tricks
Some scams targeting seniors involve pretending to conduct holiday surveys or contests. You may get a call claiming you’ve won a prize or been selected for a holiday survey. The scammer will ask for personal details such as your name, birth date, or Social Security number.
Senior scam prevention tips:
- If someone is asking for your SSN or bank info, it’s almost always a red flag for elder fraud.
- Never share personal or banking information over the phone.
- Hang up on unsolicited calls.
- If you want to participate in a survey or contest, research the organization separately and call back using a verified number.
10. Romance and Companion Scams
Senior scam prevention means protecting both your wallet and your heart. The holidays can feel lonely, and scammers prey on this. They build fast, fake online relationships and then ask for money to “help with travel” or for “holiday emergencies.”
Senior scam prevention tips:
- Be cautious of online relationships, especially anyone asking for money.
- Talk to a trusted friend or family member about the right decision.
- Never send money to someone you haven’t met in real life, and never send money via gift card or other online payment processor.
How Caregivers Can Help
Caregivers play a vital role in senior scam prevention. Here are a few ways you can help your loved one:
- Educate yourself and your loved ones about common scams targeting seniors, especially around the holidays.
- Talk regularly about elder fraud, how it happens, and what to look out for.
- Keep communication open and supportive, so they know you have their best interests in mind.
- Encourage them to talk to you before giving money or information to anyone.
- Set up fraud alerts with banks and credit bureaus.
- Consider reviewing bank statements together on a consistent basis.
- In some cases, you may need to monitor phone calls, mail, and online activity if your loved one is getting scammed often.
- Add an extra layer of peace of mind with GoGoGrandparent. Whether you’re scheduling a home service, coordinating a grocery or prescription delivery, or catching a holiday ride, GoGo connects you with pre-screened, reliable helpers you can trust.
Staying Safe from Senior Scams This Holiday Season
Scams targeting seniors are unfortunately common during the holidays. But staying informed is your best defense. The more you know about how elder fraud happens, the easier it is to spot a senior scam before it goes too far. Remember:
- Don’t rush into decisions, especially under pressure.
- Verify identities and organizations before sending money.
- Keep personal and financial information private.
- Ask for help from trusted family, banks, and credit card companies.
The holidays should bring warmth, not worry. By staying alert and practicing good senior scam prevention, you can enjoy the season with calm and peace of mind.
GoGo’s got your back. Learn more about how our services help safeguard seniors here.
