How to Help an Elderly Parent Check a Suspicious Document
Scammers deliberately target older adults — and they are skilled at it. If a parent, grandparent, or older family member has received a suspicious letter, phone call, document, or request, here is how you can help them pause and verify before they take any action.
Risk Signals to Watch For
- !They received a document or letter claiming they owe money — to the IRS, a court, Medicare, or a utility — that they do not remember or recognize.
- !Someone called and asked them to purchase gift cards, wire money, or share bank account details, often with a promise of a prize or a threat of arrest.
- !They have been told to keep the request secret from family members or their bank — secrecy is almost always a risk signal.
- !A "representative" called and asked them to download software or allow remote access to their computer to "fix" a problem.
- !A document or form they received looks official but contains details that don't match — a different address, an unfamiliar company name, or a phone number that doesn't connect to the stated organization.
If they were told to keep this secret
A real company or agency should not tell you to hide the situation from your bank, family, police, or store employees. If someone told your family member not to talk to anyone, stop and ask a trusted person for help before taking any further action.
Steps to Help Your Family Member
- 1Pause the situation: Ask your family member not to take any further action — no payments, no signatures, no sharing of personal information — until you have had time to look at the request together.
- 2Gather what was received: Collect any documents, letters, emails, or notes from phone calls. Write down the name and number of anyone who called, and the date and time of the contact.
- 3Verify the organization independently: If the communication claims to be from the IRS, Medicare, a court, or a company, look up the official contact details through usa.gov or the organization's official website — not through any number or link in the document.
- 4Upload documents to VerifyBefore: If a physical or digital document was received, upload it for a structured review of risk signals before deciding whether to respond or take any action.
- 5Report if needed: If you believe a scam has already occurred, contact the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11. Local law enforcement can also be notified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it common for scammers to target older adults specifically?
Yes. Scammers frequently target older adults because they may have savings, retirement accounts, home equity, or a tendency to be polite and trusting. The FBI reported that adults over 60 submitted more than 147,000 complaints in 2024, with reported losses near $5 billion. Being targeted by a professional scammer is not a sign of foolishness — these schemes are carefully designed by people who practice this every day.
My parent already sent money. What steps can we take?
Contact their bank immediately and explain what happened. The sooner you act, the better the chance of stopping or recovering the payment — though recovery cannot be guaranteed. Also report the incident to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11. Local law enforcement can also be notified.
How do I talk to my parent about this without making them feel embarrassed?
Remind them that these scams are run by professional criminals who trick people of all ages and backgrounds. Saying "I want to help you check this because these scams are getting very convincing" is more helpful than suggesting they should have known better. Focusing on the verification steps — rather than blame — keeps the conversation constructive.
Can VerifyBefore help if everything was communicated over the phone?
If your family member received any written follow-up — a letter, an email, a document, or a form — you can upload it to VerifyBefore for a risk review. If everything was verbal, the best step is to independently verify the organization by contacting them through an official channel and to report the call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Received a Document Your Parent Isn't Sure About?
Upload it to VerifyBefore. We'll check for risk signals and verification gaps — free, before anyone signs, pays, or shares personal information.
Check a Document FreeDisclaimer: VerifyBefore identifies risk signals and verification gaps in documents and messages. It does not prove fraud, verify document authenticity, or confirm whether a company is legitimate. It is not legal, financial, or professional advice. Always contact official sources and speak with someone you trust before taking action.