Advertiser Directory
Fraud & Scam Protection
Guard against fraud and identity theft
Services in this category
- Identity Theft Protection
- Credit Monitoring & Fraud Alerts
- Elder Financial Abuse Help
- Scam Education & Awareness
- Account Monitoring Services
- Cybersecurity for Seniors
- Romance & Relationship Scams
About Fraud & Scam Protection
Guard against fraud and identity theft
Read more about Fraud & Scam ProtectionShow less
Older adults are targeted deliberately, and it has nothing to do with intelligence. Criminals target people more likely to have savings, more likely to answer the phone, and more likely to be polite to a stranger. This category covers identity theft protection and recovery, credit monitoring and freezes, fraud recovery assistance, document shredding, and cybersecurity help.
The tactics that work on everyone. Urgency, secrecy, and authority. "Act now." "Don't tell anyone." "This is the fraud department." Any message combining those three deserves suspicion no matter how legitimate the caller ID looks — caller ID can be faked in seconds.
What no legitimate organization will ever do. Demand payment in gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Ask you to move money to a "safe account." Threaten immediate arrest. Call about a signup email you never made.
Protect yourself today. Freeze your credit with all three bureaus — it's free and blocks new accounts in your name. Turn on two-factor authentication for your email. Create a family code word for emergency calls, because AI can clone a voice from a few seconds of audio.
The PROVE IT™ Method. Pause. Review for red flags. Obtain a second opinion. Verify independently. End the interaction if unsure. Before you click it, answer it, buy it, wire it, or believe it — make them prove it.
Common Questions
Why are seniors targeted by scammers?
Deliberately — criminals assume steady income, good credit, and a generation raised to be polite on the phone. It has nothing to do with intelligence; the scams are engineered to create panic and urgency.
What are the most common scams targeting seniors?
Fake Medicare or Social Security calls, grandparent emergencies, romance scams, tech-support pop-ups, and "you've won" prizes. They share one trait: pressure to act fast and share information or money.
What should I do if I think I've been scammed?
Stop, don't send more money, and report it — to your bank, to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and to local police. Acting fast can sometimes stop or reverse a transaction.
How can I protect myself from scams?
Use the PROVE IT™ habit: Pause, Review for red flags, Obtain a second opinion, Verify independently, End the interaction if unsure. And remember — real agencies never call unsolicited demanding your number or payment.
Providers in Fraud & Scam Protection
Every business listed in the Silver Streak directory is background-checked and verified before approval. Inclusion is not an endorsement of any specific provider, and nothing on this page replaces advice from your own physician, attorney, accountant, or licensed professional.