The 10 Most Common Scam Emails Targeting Seniors in 2026
Seniors lose more money to email scams than any other age group — $4.9 billion in the US alone last year. These are the ten specific scam emails that account for the majority of that loss, with real examples and what to watch for.
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Why Seniors Are Targeted
$3.4 Billion Lost by Americans Over 60 in 2023
According to the FBI's IC3, Americans over 60 reported the highest losses of any age group to internet-enabled fraud in 2023 — over $3.4 billion. Email is the most common contact method.
Seniors are not targeted because they're naive. They're targeted because they tend to be more trusting of institutions, they're more likely to have savings and own their homes, and they may be less familiar with modern phishing techniques. Scammers know this and tailor their attacks accordingly.
Here are the ten scam emails that account for the majority of losses among seniors, based on data from the FTC, FBI IC3, and international fraud agencies.
The Top 10
1. Tech Support Scam Invoices (Norton, McAfee, Geek Squad) — Fake invoices for antivirus or tech subscriptions with a phone number to call. The "refund" process involves remote access to your computer and ends with money stolen from your bank account.
2. Government Impersonation (IRS, SSA, Medicare) — Emails claiming you owe money, your benefits are suspended, or you're due a refund. Government agencies don't initiate contact by email.
3. Bank Security Alerts (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) — Fake alerts about suspicious transactions with links to credential-stealing websites.
4. Amazon Account Issues — Fake suspension notices, order confirmations for things you didn't buy, or Prime renewal invoices.
5. Romance Scams — Extended online relationships that always end with requests for money.
6. Gift Card Payment Requests — Emails from your "boss" or someone you respect asking you to buy gift cards urgently.
7. Package Delivery Scams (USPS, UPS, FedEx) — Fake failed delivery notices asking for a small fee.
8. Cryptocurrency Investment — Promises of guaranteed returns or claims you have money waiting in an account.
9. AI Voice Cloning / Family Emergency — A call from someone who sounds like a grandchild followed by an email with payment instructions.
10. Lottery and Prize Scams — Emails saying you've won money, a gift card, or a vacation.
Red Flags
- The email creates urgency or fear
- It asks you to click a link, call a number, or send money
- It claims to be from a company or agency you trust
- It asks for personal information like SSN, bank details, or passwords
- It arrived unexpectedly about a problem you didn't know existed
What To Do About It
What To Do
- Forward suspicious emails to check@scam.support before taking any action
- Never click links in unexpected emails — go directly to the website
- Never call phone numbers from suspicious emails — find the real number yourself
- Never send money via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency based on an email
- Talk openly with family members about suspicious emails — no judgment
Report Scams
Sources
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) 2023 Elder Fraud Report — Elder fraud ($3.4 billion for 60+)
- FTC Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2023 — Top fraud categories and contact methods