Nobody is too careful to be fooled by a good script. Scammers study what works and aim it at the people with the most to lose. This guide reads the FBI's 2025 numbers for people 60 and older, describes the main scam types, and gives a plan a family can agree on. It speaks about the criminals, not the victims.
Takeaways
- FBI IC3 report for 2025, complainants 60+: 201,266 complaints, up 37% from 2024; $7.748 billion in losses (up 59%); average loss $38,500 (report figures); 12,444 people lost more than $100,000.
- Largest losses by type in the IC3 report: investment about $3.52 billion, tech and customer support about $1.04 billion, confidence and romance about $584 million.
- Nevada 60+: 3,008 complaints (rank 23) and $115,267,384 in losses (rank 17, IC3 report).
- The FTC lists the payment methods scammers use: gift cards, wire transfers, bank transfers, cryptocurrency, payment apps.
What do the FBI figures say?
The FBI's 2025 IC3 report has a section on elder fraud, complaints from people 60 and older. It counts 201,266 complaints, a 37% increase from 2024, with $7.748 billion in reported losses, a 59% increase, and an average loss of $38,500. The report says 12,444 complainants lost more than $100,000. By type, the report shows investment scams leading the losses at $3,519,296,354, followed by tech and customer support at $1,040,730,043 and confidence and romance scams at $584,032,745. The report also lists lottery, sweepstakes and inheritance scams, at 2,785 complaints.
The figures include only reports that reached the FBI. For Nevada, the report lists 3,008 complaints from people 60 and older, 23rd among the states, and $115,267,384 in losses, 17th.
Which scams are most common?
Investment scams promise returns, often through a website or app that shows fake gains, and often ask for cryptocurrency. Tech support scams use pop-ups and calls; see the tech support guide. Confidence and romance scams build a relationship online before asking for money. Government impersonation scams claim to be an agency and say your money or identity is at risk. Lottery, sweepstakes and inheritance scams say you have won something that needs a fee. Phishing messages pose as a bank, a delivery company or a provider; see spotting phishing from your provider.
The details change, and the shape stays the same: urgency, secrecy, and a payment that is hard to undo.
What are the payment red flags?
The FTC lists the methods scammers ask for: gift cards, wire transfers, bank transfers, cryptocurrency and payment apps. It adds that scammers posing as government officials may demand cash or gold. A bank, a utility or a government agency does not ask you to pay with gift cards, and a legitimate investment does not require you to keep it secret from your family. Any request to move money to a “safe account” is a scam.
If someone asks you not to tell your bank or your family why you are withdrawing money, that is a signal to tell them.
A plan a family can agree on
Agree on three rules and write them on a card by the phone and computer. One: nobody who calls or messages me gets to rush me. I hang up and call back on a number I look up. Two: I do not pay with gift cards, wire transfers or crypto, and I do not send money to someone I have only met online. Three: before I send any amount over a limit we choose, I call a person I trust. Pick a family member who agrees to be the one to call, and who will answer without judgment.
Add practical steps. Keep the computer and phone updated, as CISA advises with its note to turn on automatic updates. Use two-step verification on email and bank accounts; see the two-step verification guide. Use a password manager; see passwords.
If it happens
Act quickly and without blame. Call the bank or card issuer first, then change passwords from a safe device, then report. Report to the FBI at ic3.gov and to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC's identitytheft.gov gives steps if Social Security, card or bank numbers were shared. Our phishing click guide lists the first hour.
For a parent's setup, see setting up internet for an aging parent. If a provider is not yet chosen, send the address through the check form; a person at the office looks at the tower path to your roof and calls you back. Call 775-575-9593 any day, 9 to 5, if you would rather talk it through.
Sources
- ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2025_IC3Report.pdf (FBI IC3, 2025 Internet Crime Report, elder fraud and state statistics for 60+, read 10/15/26)
- consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-tech-support-scams (FTC, tech support scams, read 10/15/26)
- consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams (FTC, phishing, read 10/15/26)
- cisa.gov/secure-our-world/update-software (CISA, Update Software, read 10/15/26)