5 ways to help older people avoid scams

People of all ages and walks of life are affected by scams – but the types of scams we see and the way they affect us can change as we age.

Fraudsters regularly target older people in the hopes of stealing substantial savings built up over a lifetime, with older scam victims losing an average of almost £4,000 each, according to 2024 research from charity Independent Age. 

The effects can be wide-ranging, with three in 10 victims reporting that they experienced negative impacts on their mental health, and one in eight saying they suffered physical health consequences after being the target of fraud.

That's why it's so important to block or deter scammers via the channels they use to reach older and retired people – and combat factors such as loneliness.

Here, we round up our top tips to help protect you and your loved ones from scams.

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1. Install a call blocker

Scam calls aren't just a nuisance – they can devastate lives. Fraudsters posing as bank employees, HMRC or law enforcement can worm their way into their victim's account and steal life savings in minutes. 

The risks are amplified when scammers target those who are vulnerable for a variety of reasons including cognitive decline, loneliness and bereavement. Some scams can be incredibly convincing, and these factors could leave you more receptive to a fraudster's manipulative attempts to impersonate an authority figure or build rapport.

Call blocking services are available for smartphones as well as landlines. These services can help to screen and reduce nuisance calls – our article rounds up the best options for your device. 

2. Deter doorstep sellers

It's tempting to think that fraud has moved entirely into the digital sphere, but some con artists still pound the pavements in search of their next victim. And retired people are more likely to be at home during the day, making them a target.

Rogue traders invent problems with your home and pressure you to pay for a bodge-job repair. And the notorious 'Nottingham knockers' scam involves young men claiming to be ex-offenders on probation, selling cleaning products door to door.

It's nothing more than a ruse to gather intelligence on which homes appear to have older or vulnerable people inside, leading to further scam attempts.

You can try to deter doorstep callers by putting up a 'no cold callers' sign, or by joining or helping to found a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. Smart doorbells incorporating a camera enable you to speak to callers without opening the door.

• Find out more: how to dodge the doorstep scammers. 

3. Install antivirus software

One long-running scam we see regularly involves emails, calls or pop-up notifications purporting to be from big-name antivirus providers, such as McAfee and Norton. 

These bogus messages are designed to steal victims' card details or even persuade you to grant remote access, letting criminals take over your device. 

Scams like these can be particularly convincing if you're less confident with technology. Having high-performing genuine antivirus software on your device can help to protect you by flagging up messages like these as scams, or blocking them altogether.

• Find out more: free and paid-for antivirus software [this content requires a Which? membership].

4. Check your social media details

Social media can provide a valuable way for older people to stay in touch with family and friends, particularly when distance or mobility is an issue.

However, divulging information such as location, birthday, interests and employment history can be used by scammers to build rapport and groom their victims. These details could also put you at greater risk of identity theft.

There's also a risk of jigsaw identification – where fraudsters and malicious actors can piece together information from different public profiles to build up a more comprehensive overall picture of their intended victim's life and identity.

That's why it's important to step back and consider the bigger picture. If your older relative or friend has social media accounts, it can be helpful to check their profile while logged out (or view it using another profile) to see which information they've made publicly available, and help them change privacy settings where necessary.

5. Combat loneliness 

Loneliness can affect people of any age. However, the risks are particularly acute for those who spend longer periods alone at home as they get older, through factors such as retirement, health issues or bereavement.

Fraudsters prey on people experiencing loneliness, sometimes over months or even years, through long-running romance or investment scams in which the victim is repeatedly targeted. 

There are things you can do to help an older loved one avoid becoming socially isolated, from regular chats to practical help around the home, or accompanying them to appointments or on errands. 

For more advice, the NHS and Age UK offer more advice on combating loneliness in older people.