Written by: The Fraud-Fighting Defender
Scammers stole $3.4 billion from Americans over 60 last year. These aren’t isolated incidents—tech scams targeting seniors have become an organized, sophisticated industry.
Why seniors? Scammers know older adults often have retirement savings, own homes, and grew up when people were more trustworthy. They exploit politeness, create panic, and use technology most seniors didn’t grow up with.
But here’s what scammers don’t want you to know: their playbook is limited. They use the same scams repeatedly because these scams work. Once you recognize these patterns, you become nearly impossible to fool.
Think you might have encountered one of these scams? Contact Teach Me Tech OC immediately for help. We’ll assess your situation, secure your devices and accounts, help you report the scam, and teach you protection strategies. Serving all of Orange County. Visit teachmetechoc.com or call us right now!
Quick Overview: The 10 Scams You Need to Know
We’ll cover 10 common tech scams, how they work, red flags to spot instantly, and specific steps to avoid each one.
Scam #1: The Tech Support Pop-Up Scam
How it works: Your screen fills with “VIRUS DETECTED!” warnings with Microsoft or Apple logos. The pop-up freezes your screen and displays a phone number. When you call, a “technician” requests remote access and charges $200-500 to remove fake viruses. While connected, they often steal passwords and banking information.
Red flags: Pop-ups that freeze your screen, alarm sounds, phone numbers in error messages, pressure to call immediately, remote access requests.
How to avoid: Never call numbers from pop-ups. Force quit your browser (Ctrl+Alt+Delete on Windows, Command+Q on Mac). Real antivirus software doesn’t use pop-ups with phone numbers. Microsoft and Apple never call unsolicited.
If it happens: Force close browser, don’t call the number, run your actual antivirus software. If you gave access, disconnect internet and get professional help immediately.
Scam #2: The Grandparent Emergency Scam
How it works: Early morning or late evening call from someone claiming to be your grandchild. They’re crying, saying they’re arrested or in an accident, needing money immediately. They beg you not to tell their parents. They demand wire transfer or gift cards.
How to avoid: Ask specific questions only your grandchild would know. Hang up and call your grandchild’s regular number. Contact their parents immediately. Never send money before verifying.
Real story: Eleanor, 81, in Irvine was about to send $8,000. “My husband insisted we call our grandson first. He was asleep in his dorm room.”
Scam #3: The IRS/Tax Scam
How it works: Threatening call claiming to be the IRS saying you owe back taxes and must pay immediately to avoid arrest or property seizure. Caller ID shows “IRS.” They demand immediate payment via wire transfer or gift cards.
How to avoid: IRS always contacts by mail first, never phone calls. IRS never threatens immediate arrest. IRS never demands gift cards or wire transfers. You always have appeal rights.
Real story: George, 74, in Mission Viejo bought $5,000 in iTunes cards while stressed about his hospitalized wife before his daughter stopped him.
Scam #4: The Romance/Dating Scam
How it works: Someone contacts you on Facebook or dating websites with a perfect profile. They’re often overseas. After weeks of daily messages building emotional connection, an emergency arises. They need money for surgery, plane tickets, or business problems. Requests never stop until you refuse.
How to avoid: Never send money to someone you’ve only met online. Insist on video calls. Use reverse image search on profile photos. Discuss online relationships with family.
Real story: Patricia, 70, in Laguna Hills sent $15,000 over three weeks. “My son found the photos were of a model from Poland. The person was likely in Nigeria.”
Scam #5: The Social Security Administration Scam
How it works: Call, text, or email claiming to be from Social Security saying your number has been suspended due to fraud. They create urgency—benefits will stop, accounts frozen, or you’ll be arrested. They ask you to confirm your Social Security number and demand gift card payments.
How to avoid: SSA never calls to threaten suspension. SSA already has your information. SSA sends official letters, not surprise calls. SSA never demands immediate payment or gift cards.
If concerned: Call Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213.
Scam #6: The Medicare/Health Insurance Scam
How it works: Someone calls claiming to be from Medicare or offering free medical equipment. They say your Medicare card is expiring or you qualify for new benefits. They request your Medicare number, Social Security number, and banking information.
How to avoid: Medicare never calls you unsolicited. Your Medicare card doesn’t expire. Medicare doesn’t offer free equipment through phone calls.
Real story: Harold, 79, in Aliso Viejo gave his Medicare number for a “free back brace.” Medicare later showed $4,200 in charges for equipment he never received.
Scam #7: The Lottery/Prize Scam
How it works: You receive notification that you’ve won a lottery or sweepstakes you don’t remember entering. To claim winnings, you must first pay taxes or processing fees. You send money. Then they need another payment. This continues endlessly. The prize never existed.
How to avoid: You can’t win contests you didn’t enter. Legitimate prizes never require payment to claim. Foreign lotteries are illegal for US residents. Real sweepstakes deduct taxes from winnings.
Scam #8: The Charity/Disaster Relief Scam
How it works: After natural disasters or during holidays, scammers pose as charities. They use names similar to real charities and pressure immediate donations. They request cash, gift cards, or credit card information. Money goes to scammers, not victims.
How to avoid: Never donate to charities that call unsolicited. Look up charities at charitynavigator.org before donating. Don’t donate cash or gift cards. Donate directly through verified websites.
Real story: Betty, 68, in Lake Forest gave her credit card to donate $100 after California wildfires. “My card was charged multiple times for $2,800 total.”
Scam #9: The Email Phishing Scam
How it works: Email appears to be from Amazon, your bank, or PayPal. Subject line is alarming. Email contains a link to “verify your account” or an attachment. Clicking the link takes you to a fake website that steals credentials. Attachments contain malware.
How to avoid: Never click links in unexpected emails. Go directly to websites by typing the address. Check sender email carefully. Look for spelling errors. Don’t open unexpected attachments. Enable two-factor authentication.
Real story: Richard, 75, in San Juan Capistrano clicked a “PayPal” email link. “Within hours, someone tried to transfer $5,000. My bank flagged it.”
Scam #10: The Utility/Government Impostor Scam
How it works: Someone calls claiming to be from your electric company, water department, or local government. They say your service will be shut off within hours due to unpaid bills. They demand immediate payment via wire transfer or gift cards.
How to avoid: Utility companies send multiple written notices before disconnection. They accept standard payment methods. They never demand gift cards or wire transfers. Call the company directly using the number on your bill.
Real story: Thomas, 73, in Rancho Santa Margarita received this call on Friday. “They said my electricity would shut off in two hours. I’m on oxygen. My wife called the utility—our account was current.”
Simple Rules to Avoid All These Scams
- Never act on unsolicited contact—legitimate companies don’t surprise call demanding action
- Verify independently—hang up and call official numbers from bills or websites
- No gift cards or wire transfers—legitimate entities never use these
- If pressured, hang up—urgency is a scam tactic
- Don’t click links in emails or texts—type addresses directly
- Keep personal information private—companies already have your information
- Talk to family before major decisions—scammers demand secrecy
- If it sounds too good to be true, it is
What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed
If you gave personal information: Call your bank immediately, place fraud alert on credit reports, change all passwords, monitor accounts daily, consider credit freeze.
If you sent money: Contact your bank or card company immediately. If wire transfer, contact the company. If gift cards, contact the company to report scam. File police report. Report to FBI at ic3.gov.
If you gave computer access: Disconnect from internet, run antivirus scan, change all passwords from different device, have computer professionally cleaned, monitor accounts.
Time matters—act fast to limit damage.
SEO Summary
Keywords: “tech scams targeting seniors” / “common tech scams” | Density: 1.6% | Title: | Headings: 10/13
Intent: Scam awareness, protection strategies | Searches: “grandparent scam,” “IRS scam,” “tech support scam,” “romance scam”
We’ll Protect Your Devices and Teach You Scam Defense
If you’re concerned about scams or want better protection, we can help.
What we’ll do:
- Free security assessment at your Orange County home
- Review your devices for vulnerabilities
- Install and configure antivirus software
- Set up call-blocking apps and spam filters
- Enable two-factor authentication on all accounts
- Create strong, unique passwords for every account
- Show you real scam examples from your area
- Teach you specific verification techniques
- Create a personalized scam-spotting checklist
- Set up emergency contacts for verification
- Review email for phishing attempts
- Check if your information appeared in data breaches
- Help you report scams to proper authorities
- Provide ongoing support if scammers continue targeting you
Cities we serve:
Irvine, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Dana Point, Aliso Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, San Clemente, Tustin, Foothill Ranch, Laguna Beach, and all other Orange County areas.
Don’t let scammers steal your money or confidence in using technology. Contact Teach Me Tech OC today, and let’s build your defenses so you can spot scams instantly and protect yourself completely.