There is a particular kind of dread that comes with the phone call that starts, “Mom, why did you send someone $3,000 in gift cards?”

It is not only about the money. It is the realization that someone—perhaps posing as family—reached into your parent’s home and trust and took advantage of both.

If you are worried, you are not overreacting. Scammers deliberately target older adults, and their tactics continue to become more convincing. The good news is that a handful of practical steps can meaningfully lower the risk without requiring your parent to surrender control.

Why older adults are targeted

This is not evidence that older adults are less capable. Plausible, emotionally charged scams can fool people with no cognitive impairment. Older adults may also be reluctant to report fraud because of embarrassment or fear that their independence will be questioned.

If your parent has responded to a scam and did not tell you, that silence is common—not shameful. A calm response makes it more likely that they will ask for help quickly if something happens again.

The scams showing up most often

The grandparent scam

A caller claims to be a grandchild who has been arrested, hospitalized, or stranded and asks for money immediately—often with instructions not to tell anyone else.

Government impersonator scams

Someone claiming to represent the IRS, Social Security Administration, or Medicare says there is an account problem and requests personal information or payment.

Fake prize and lottery scams

Your parent is told they have won something but must first pay a fee or release tax to collect it.

Tech-support scams

A pop-up or caller claims the computer has been compromised and offers to fix it for a price, often while requesting remote access.

Fake charity requests

These appeals often increase after disasters and around holidays, when people are especially motivated to help.

Take an active pause.

Unexpected contact, strong emotion, secrecy, and pressure to act right now are reasons to stop. Hang up and contact the person or institution directly using a number you already know or find independently.

What you can actually do

You do not need to monitor every decision to reduce risk. Begin with safeguards your parent understands and agrees to.

Set up bank and credit-card alerts

Most financial institutions can send text or email alerts for withdrawals, transfers, or purchases above a chosen amount. This can reveal unusual activity quickly without changing who controls the account.

Ask about a trusted contact

Many banks and investment firms allow an account holder to name someone the institution may contact when suspicious activity appears. A trusted contact does not automatically receive access to the money.

Talk before there is a crisis

Frame scam awareness as something you are doing together. A calm conversation preserves dignity and is more useful than confronting a parent after money has already been lost.

Agree on a family code word or callback rule

Before sending money in response to an urgent call, hang up and call the relative back using a familiar number. A family code word can provide another quick check.

Protect personal information

Shred documents containing account numbers, consider a credit freeze when appropriate, and limit public social-media details that help scammers sound convincing.

Is a power of attorney enough protection?

A financial power of attorney can be valuable, but it is neither automatic nor a complete safety net. It works only when created while your parent has the capacity to sign it, and the person named as agent must be chosen carefully.

The authority can also be misused by the very person entrusted with it. An elder-law attorney can explain possible safeguards, including when the authority becomes active and whether another person should review the agent’s actions.

Even a carefully prepared document does not catch a scam in progress. Pair legal planning with transaction alerts, a trusted contact, a family verification plan, and open conversation.

If something has already happened

Respond without shame or panic. Scammers are professionals at creating urgency and confusion. Contact the bank, card company, wire service, or payment platform immediately if money or account information was involved.

Catching the problem, reporting it, and putting better guardrails in place is what protecting your family looks like.

Questions families ask

Frequently asked questions

Does a power of attorney prevent scams?

Not by itself. A financial power of attorney may let a trusted person act when needed, but it does not automatically detect fraud. Alerts, trusted-contact arrangements, open communication, and careful selection of the agent remain important.

What should we do if money has already been sent?

Respond without shame or panic. Contact the bank or payment provider immediately, report the incident to the National Elder Fraud Hotline and the Federal Trade Commission, and preserve messages, receipts, phone numbers, and other evidence.

Trusted sources and further reading

This article provides general education and is not legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals for guidance specific to your family.