5 Holiday Scams Older Adults Should Watch For

The holidays bring more shopping, package deliveries, charitable appeals and phone calls from people claiming to need help. Scammers use those moments to create urgency and make a request feel personal. Anyone can be fooled by a convincing story; talking about scams early can help families and friends protect one another.

The examples below include composite scenarios based on common scam tactics and publicly shared reports. “Dorothy” is a fictional character, not a person from a specific Reddit post.

1. The gift card request that starts with a friendly call

Dorothy likes to stay up late. Someone begins calling her in the evenings, chatting with her and gradually earning her trust. One night, the caller says there’s an urgent problem and asks her to buy an Apple gift card at a nearby drugstore. Dorothy is told to scratch off the code and read it over the phone.

Once Dorothy gives the code to the caller, the scammer can redeem the balance. An Apple gift card is not cash, and Apple will not turn the stolen amount into cash or store credit for Dorothy. If the scammer has already spent the balance, that money may be gone for good. Apple advises victims to contact Apple Support as soon as possible, but there is no guarantee the funds can be recovered and they even get further to suggest about the risks of buying apple cards from other retailers . Apple Support

There’s another risk: a gift card on a store rack may have been tampered with before it was bought. A scammer may have recorded its number or scratched-off PIN, then use the details to drain the balance after the card is activated. Check the packaging and PIN before paying; if anything looks altered, show the card to a cashier or manager. consumer.ftc.gov

Remember: Apple gift cards are for Apple products and services. No caller, friend, romantic interest, government agency or business should ask you to pay them with one. Never share the code with someone who contacted you..

2. The “your grandchild needs help” emergency

A caller says a grandchild has been arrested, injured or stranded and needs money immediately. The caller may sound distressed, ask Dorothy not to tell anyone, or hand the phone to someone pretending to be a lawyer or police officer. A Reddit user described a grandmother being told that her grandson had been arrested and that she needed to pay with gift cards. reddit.com

Remember: Hang up and call the grandchild or another family member using a number you already know. Ask a question only the real person would know. Don’t rely on the caller’s number or caller ID, which can be faked. A real emergency can wait while you verify it.

3. The fake package-delivery text

During the holidays, Dorothy is expecting gifts and gets a text saying a package cannot be delivered until she confirms her address or pays a small fee. The message includes a link and warns that the package will be returned if she doesn’t respond quickly. The link may lead to a fake website designed to steal passwords or payment details. The FTC warns that scammers use delivery messages and time pressure to push people into clicking. Consumer Advice

Remember: Don’t use the link in an unexpected text. Check the order through the retailer’s app or website, or contact the delivery company using a number or web address you find independently.

4. The holiday charity appeal

A message on social media shows a family in crisis, a sick child or a local group seeking donations. The story may be emotional and urgent, but the account or charity could be fake—or using a name that closely resembles a legitimate organization. Holiday appeals can make it tempting to give before checking.

Remember: Pause before donating. Search for the charity independently and give through its official website. Avoid payment methods that are hard to trace, such as gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency. The OCC lists phony charities among common holiday scams. OCC

5. The too-good-to-be-true holiday deal

Dorothy sees a social media ad for a popular toy, appliance or gift at an unusually low price. The website looks polished, so she orders and enters her card details. The item never arrives—or the site was built to collect payment and personal information. The FBI warns shoppers about non-delivery scams and recommends using a credit card for online purchases because it may offer a way to dispute a fraudulent charge. FBI

Remember: Be cautious of unfamiliar sellers, extreme discounts and pressure to pay by gift card, wire transfer or payment app. Search for the retailer separately, review its contact and return information, and pay by credit card when possible.

If a scammer reaches you

Pause the conversation. Don’t send money, share a code or click a link because someone says you must act immediately. Call the person or organization using contact information you find independently. If you’ve already shared a gift card code, contact the card issuer right away and ask whether the balance can be frozen; report the incident to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Consumer Advice

A kind response from a family member or friend matters, too. If someone has been scammed, help them take the next steps without blame or embarrassment. Scammers rely on trust and pressure; a calm conversation can help stop the next call from doing more harm.

Final Takeaway: Pause, Verify, Protect Yourself

Scammers often begin by building trust, then use urgency, affection or fear to push someone into acting before they can check the story. Enjoying a conversation or needing company does not make anyone foolish; scammers deliberately exploit trust and private information. These habits can help you stay safer:

1. Keep personal details private. Be cautious about sharing information with people you have not met and verified, even if they seem friendly. Details about living alone, family relationships, health, finances or feeling down can help a scammer tailor a convincing story. If you want to keep talking, slow down and avoid sharing anything you would not want repeated.

2. Treat gift card codes like cash. Never read a gift card number or PIN to someone who contacted you. If a scammer redeems the balance, you may not get the money back. Contact the card issuer immediately if you shared a code; quick action may help, but recovery is not guaranteed.

3. Be wary when a business conversation turns personal. Someone who first contacts you about a service, purchase or other business matter may try to build a personal connection and later ask for money, gift cards or financial help. Verify who they are through a separate, trusted channel before responding to requests.

4. Check unexpected products and cash-on-delivery offers. Grace’s story is a reminder to be careful when a seller promises a remarkable health benefit and asks for cash at the door. Don’t rely on a seller’s claims about a product that supposedly lowers blood sugar. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using it, and verify the seller and product independently.

5. Verify urgent requests—even if you recognize the voice or profile. AI can be used to imitate voices and create convincing images or videos. A message from a familiar Facebook Messenger profile can also come from an impostor. If someone says they are stranded, in trouble or need money urgently, contact them or another family member using a phone number you already know. Don’t send money until you’ve confirmed the story.

6. Give yourself time to think. Scammers may call late at night, during the day, or whenever they think you’ll be distracted or under pressure. Hang up, step away from the conversation and check with someone you trust before making a decision.

7. Never grant remote access to your device to an unexpected caller or online contact. Don’t install an app, click a link or share your screen because someone says they need to fix a problem—especially if you use that device to access banking or email. Contact the company yourself through its official website or phone number.

A simple rule for everyone: If a request is urgent, secret, or asks for gift cards, cash, passwords or remote access, stop and verify it independently before taking action.