June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. For 2026, federal agencies are using the day to call attention to one of the most common ways older adults lose money: imposter scams.

These scams are not always obvious at first. The person on the phone may sound professional. The caller ID may look official. The letter may have a seal on it. The email may use the name of a real agency.

That is the point. A government imposter scam is built to make you panic, trust the wrong person, and act before you have time to think.

The Federal Trade Commission reported more than 375,000 government imposter scam reports in 2025, with $917 million in reported losses. The Social Security Administration also noted that reported fraud losses among consumers age 60 and older quadrupled from 2020 to 2024, reaching $2.4 billion.

That does not mean every phone call is dangerous. It means older adults, caregivers, veterans, and families need a simple filter for spotting the calls, texts, emails, and letters that are not legitimate.

What Is a Government Imposter Scam?

A government imposter scam happens when someone pretends to be from a real or official-sounding agency so they can get your money, bank access, Medicare number, Social Security number, VA login, or other personal information.

The scammer may claim to be from:

Sometimes the scam starts with a business instead of a government agency. You may get a call saying there is suspicious activity on your bank account, Amazon account, computer, or credit card. Then the caller “transfers” you to someone who claims to be from the government.

That second person may say your money is not safe. They may tell you to move it to a protected account. They may mention a crime, an investigation, a suspended Social Security number, a frozen benefit, or a court order.

The details change. The pressure is the warning sign.

The Biggest Red Flag: Someone Tells You to Move Money

If someone says your money is in danger and you need to move it to protect it, stop.

That is not how government agencies work.

A real government agency will not tell you to move your savings into a “government account.” It will not send you to a crypto ATM. It will not tell you to buy gold, withdraw cash, wire money, use a payment app, or hand money to a courier.

Only a scammer pressures you to move money quickly.

This is especially dangerous because once money is sent by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift card, cash, or payment app, it can be very hard or impossible to get back.

Other Signs the Call, Text, or Letter May Be Fake

Scammers use fear and urgency because it works. They want you reacting, not checking.

Be suspicious if someone:

Caller ID is not proof. Scammers can make a phone number look like it belongs to Medicare, Social Security, VA, a police department, or a bank.

What to Do Before You Respond

Do not argue with the caller. Do not try to prove they are fake. Do not click a link. Do not use the phone number they gave you.

Instead:

  1. Hang up or stop replying.
  2. Take a breath before doing anything with money or personal information.
  3. Call the agency or company using a phone number you know is real.
  4. Talk to someone you trust before moving money.
  5. Report the scam attempt.

That trusted person could be an adult child, spouse, close friend, attorney, financial professional, bank branch manager, VA-accredited representative, or someone else who will slow the situation down.

Scammers hate delay. Delay gives you back control.

Medicare Scams: Protect Your Medicare Number

Because this site focuses on Medicare, I want to make this specific.

Your Medicare number should be treated like a financial account number. Do not give it to someone who calls unexpectedly and says they need to verify your identity, send you a new card, enroll you in extra benefits, or fix a problem with your account.

Medicare.gov recommends reviewing your Medicare claims and reporting anything suspicious. If you suspect Medicare fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or report it through Medicare.gov.

If you are comparing Medicare plans, use a licensed advisor you know, Medicare.gov, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or the phone number on official plan materials. Do not rely on an unexpected call that pressures you to switch plans or share personal information.

For Veterans: VA and VSAFE Resources

Scammers also target veterans and their families. That matters because veterans may receive VA benefits, VA health care, disability compensation, pension benefits, education benefits, survivor benefits, or direct deposit payments that scammers would like to steal.

For veterans and survivors, keep these resources close:

The VA also warns veterans not to share VA.gov login credentials, Social Security numbers, claim numbers, verification codes, banking information, or other personal information with someone who contacts them unexpectedly.

This is not about being rude. It is about being careful. A legitimate agency can handle you calling back through an official number.

What Families and Caregivers Should Watch For

Elder financial exploitation often shows up as a pattern before it becomes obvious.

Families should pay attention if an older adult:

Do not lead with blame. Most people who are targeted by scams already feel ashamed. A better first question is simple: “Did someone tell you that you had to act right away?”

That question gets to the heart of the scam without making the person feel foolish.

If You Already Sent Money or Shared Information

Act quickly. The sooner you respond, the better the chance of limiting the damage.

Start with these steps:

  1. Contact your bank, credit card company, payment app, wire transfer company, or cryptocurrency platform and tell them the transaction was fraudulent.
  2. Change passwords for any affected accounts.
  3. If you shared a Social Security number, Medicare number, VA.gov login, or bank information, report it to the appropriate agency.
  4. Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  5. For suspected Medicare fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE.
  6. For veterans benefits fraud, contact VA at 1-800-827-1000 and use VSAFE.gov.

If there is immediate danger, call 911.

The Practical Takeaway

No government agency will pressure you to move money to keep it safe. No government agency will demand payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, payment app, cash, or gold. No government agency will require secrecy before you talk to your family, bank, attorney, or trusted advisor.

When a caller creates panic, slow the situation down.

Hang up. Verify independently. Talk to someone you trust. Then report it.

That one pause can protect a lifetime of savings.

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