(BPT) - No one wants to believe they would fall for a scam, but it can happen to anyone, no matter your age. Older adults can be especially vulnerable as they are commonly targeted by scammers. In fact, according to the FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report, individuals 60 and over filed claims totaling over $4.9 billion in losses to scams in 2024.

Impersonation scams, in which scammers pose as a familiar company or person, romance scams, and tech support were among the most commonly reported scams and those that resulted in the most losses among adults over 60. "Grandparent scams," where scammers use AI technology to clone the voices of loved ones to dupe people out of money and personal information, are also an emerging threat.

With some knowledge and a healthy amount of caution, you can avoid scams and safeguard your personal information. To help you stay informed and protect yourself from scams, Chase offers the following six best practices.

1. Avoid answering calls or texts from unknown numbers

Avoid answering calls or responding to texts from unknown numbers, even if you think you may know them. Scammers can spoof phone numbers to appear as local or similar to a familiar person or business. If it's a fraud or scam attempt and you answer, you could be asked to provide sensitive information. Friends, family and other people you know will likely leave a message if they're trying to reach you.

In addition to not answering unknown numbers, don't rely on caller ID alone. Consider adding a call protector app to your phone to flag calls that are likely scams.

2. Never share personal information over the internet

Scammers frequently impersonate legitimate companies, organizations or even law enforcement agencies to trick you into sharing sensitive information and money. Never share personal information over the phone, even with someone claiming to be a representative from your bank or a government agency, like the IRS.

Remember, your bank will never ask you to share personal information when they call you but may need you to verify information if you call them. Government agencies, like the IRS, will not call you to demand urgent action or threaten you. In most instances, they communicate via mail.

When in doubt, hang up and call the company directly. If the scammer says they represent your bank, call your institution directly using the number on the back of your card to ask if there is a problem.

3. Don't fall for threats, urgency or sob stories

Scammers will often try to fool victims by creating a sense of urgency or using emotional manipulation, like a sob story. For example, receiving a call from a utility provider threatening to turn off your power unless you provide bank information.

Remember, no legitimate institution will threaten to disconnect services or urge you to send money to prevent fraud or gain access to your accounts. If you're concerned that this communication is legitimate, you can look up the institution's number and call them back directly.

Adults 60 and older reported nearly $390 million in losses to romance scams according to 2024 FBI data. Similarly, if you meet someone online, be cautious if they're moving too quickly or asking you to provide personal information. It's possible they are attempting to manipulate you emotionally and financially.

Scammers may try to exploit your kindness by sharing a dramatic or urgent story, asking for immediate financial help. Common tactics include claiming a family crisis, like a medical emergency, or needing money for a plane ticket. These stories are designed to tug at your heartstrings and prompt you to act quickly without thinking it through.

4. Don't send money

Avoid sending money to anyone you've only spoken to online or by phone. This includes traditional methods, like bank transfers and person-to-person (P2P) payments, as well as wire transfers, cryptocurrency or gift cards. Scammers request these forms of payment because they often cannot be traced or recovered.

5. Report it

If you suspect that you've been scammed, contact your bank to discuss how to best protect your banking information. Also, verify recent transactions to ensure there is no fraudulent activity on your account and report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.FTC.gov.

6. Use free resources available to you

Protecting yourself from scammers doesn't have to cost you money. There are many free resources available that can help you monitor and protect your identity and other personal information.

For example, Chase Credit Journey offers free credit and identity monitoring. This includes alerts that let you know if your personal information is exposed in a data breach or on the dark web. You don't have to be a Chase customer to use it.

Scammers may be sophisticated, but you have the power to stay ahead of them. To learn more about scams and to access tools and educational resources to help you safeguard your money and personal information, visit chase.com/security.

For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described in this article or provided via links may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any business. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. The material is not intended to provide legal, tax, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. product or service. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions and consult the appropriate professional(s). Outlooks and past performance are not guarantees of future results. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates are not responsible for, and do not provide or endorse third party products, services, or other content.

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