For millions of older Americans, the internet is now part of daily life. It’s where they video-call grandchildren, refill prescriptions, see a doctor through telehealth, pay bills and stay in touch with old friends. A connection brings independence, and in rural Florida it can bring a lifeline.
But being online also brings risk. Scammers know older adults have spent decades building savings, and they work hard to reach them. The good news is that a few simple habits stop most scams before they start.
Seniors are careful. Scammers are getting smarter.
Older adults are often more cautious than younger internet users, and federal data shows it. The Federal Trade Commission found that in 2025, older adults reported losing approximately $3 billion to fraud at lower rates than younger adults and filed no-loss fraud reports at much higher rates. In other words, many seniors spot the scam, refuse to pay and report it anyway.
The danger is that when a scam does succeed, the losses can be large. Americans 60 and older filed 201,266 complaints with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) in 2025 and reported losses of $7.75 billion, a 59% increase over the prior year. The FTC found that reports of losses over $100,000 made up just 6% of older adults’ loss reports in 2025 but accounted for 70% of their total reported losses.
Technology is raising the stakes. The IC3 received more than 3,100 complaints from seniors referencing AI in 2025, with losses topping $352 million. Fake voices and polished fake websites can fool anyone, at any age.
The scams to know
Investment scams. Someone promises big, safe returns, often in cryptocurrency. Investment scams cost older adults over $1 billion in reported losses in 2025 (via FTC), up 42%, and many started on social media.
Tech support scams. A pop-up or phone call claims the computer is infected and asks for remote access or payment. Investment fraud, impersonation scams and tech support scams remain among the biggest threats to older adults.
Government and bank impersonation. A caller claims to be from Social Security, the IRS or the bank’s fraud department and says money must be moved to a “safe” account. No real agency or bank asks for this.
Romance scams. A new online friend builds trust over weeks, then asks for money for an emergency.
Recovery scams. After a loss, someone offers to get the money back for a fee. Seniors reported $540 million in losses to recovery scams in 2025 (via FBI).
Seven safety basics
1. Slow down. Scammers rely on urgency. Any message that says “act now” is a reason to pause.
2. Verify on your own. Hang up and call the bank, agency or family member using a number you already trust, not one given in the message.
3. Never pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers to someone you haven’t verified. Legitimate businesses and agencies don’t demand these.
4. Don’t give remote access to your device to anyone who contacted you first.
5. Use strong passwords and two-step verification on email and bank accounts.
6. Keep your device updated. Updates close security gaps.
Talk about it. Share suspicious messages with a family member or friend. A second opinion stops many scams.
If something goes wrong: Act quickly. Contact your bank, report it at IC3.gov and call the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311. Reporting is never something to be embarrassed about. It helps protect others.
Why access and safety go together
Internet safety is part of the digital divide. Seniors who don’t have their own device or reliable service often borrow a phone, use a shared computer or go without. That means fewer chances to build the everyday familiarity that makes it easier to spot something unusual.
The answer is not to keep older adults offline. It’s to make sure they have reliable tools and support, so they can use technology with confidence.
How the Figgers Foundation is helping seniors connect with confidence
The Figgers Foundation believes technology should open doors for everyone, at every age. Its mission centers on helping everyday people, and seniors are a central part of that work.
Through Florida Connect, the Foundation gives eligible seniors, along with students, job seekers and low-income households, a free tablet and three years of free internet service. Seniors no longer must choose between a monthly bill and staying connected to family, doctors and essential services.
Florida Connect also meets seniors where they live. The Foundation delivers devices through nursing homes and residential facilities, so an older adult with limited mobility or no transportation can still get connected. Most of the program’s service areas are among Florida’s smallest and most rural counties, where the nearest public computer can be miles away.
The Foundation knows a device alone isn’t enough. Its programs pair access with learning, including internet safety as a core lesson in its youth technology training. It’s the same belief behind all its work: access works best when people have the knowledge to use it safely.
From church halls in Pompano Beach to community centers in Lauderhill, the Figgers Foundation keeps showing up for Florida’s families. For seniors, that means a reliable connection, a little less isolation and the confidence to explore online on their own terms.
Eligible seniors and their families can learn more and apply here.