Like me, you have no doubt read a consistent stream of stories about seniors who have been victimized by scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission (the federal agency charged with consumer protection), imposter scams are the most commonly reported scam. An “imposter scam” is a scam in which someone pretends to be a trusted official, business, charity, or other person, with the purpose of stealing your money.
I remember receiving a call from a widowed friend and client upset over a call she received. The call was supposedly from an officer investigating a theft. It was a scam. She was obviously upset that she was the target of a scam; but she was even more upset because of how easily she was fooled. She started to give this person her personal financial information before suddenly realizing her information had nothing to do with the supposed purpose for the call. Fortunately, she caught herself and ended the call before any damage could be done.
I have previously warned of one type of imposter scam, commonly called the “grandparent scam.” According to the FBI, a scammer will obtain a few details about the grandparent and/or a grandchild, perhaps from social media, and then call the grandparent claiming to be a distressed grandchild in need. Most of us laugh because the scam seems so obvious. Yet, it remains incredibly successful.
Another imposter scam is growing in frequency. This scam involves a caller claiming to be a government representative, such as an IRS agent or a police officer. However, the caller is aggressive, demanding money rather than asking for it. Callers are told that authorities are on their way to arrest them if they do not pay immediately.
I have received several calls from distraught clients telling me about this call and asking if they should just pay. The answer is absolutely not! This will only open the door to more demands, threats, and intimidation. The government does not use such methods to obtain payments.
Even though she was fooled for an instant, I credit my friend for acting on her instincts to avoid becoming a victim. Be vigilant when any stranger asks for personal information, and help vulnerable friends and family to be vigilant as well.
*Steve Wright is an Idaho licensed attorney. This column is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice, which requires a specific discussion of specific circumstances.
© 2026 Steven J Wright