Scam Alerts
Active scams targeting older adults, updated as new patterns emerge. Every alert tells you exactly what the caller says, why it works, and what to do — including what to do if you already gave information.
The “Medicare card renewal” call is back — and it sounds different this time
A caller claiming to be from Medicare says your card needs updating for the 2026 plan year. Here’s exactly what they say, why it works, and the two-word response that ends the call.
Three rules that stop almost every scam
Before the alerts — the rules that apply to every scam on this page, every time.
Hang up. You don’t owe an explanation. You don’t need to be polite. Any caller creating urgency or asking for personal information gets two words — “No thanks” — and a disconnected line.
Never call back the number they give you. Always find the official number yourself — from the back of your card, from Medicare.gov, from SSA.gov. The number a scammer gives you reaches another scammer.
Gift cards, wire transfers, and cryptocurrency are always scams. No government agency, court, hospital, or legitimate business asks for payment this way. Ever. Full stop.
Published scam alerts
We add a new alert every Friday. Each one covers the current script, how to recognize it, and what to do.
The “Medicare card renewal” call
The 2026 version adds a new hook — references to the real $2,100 Part D cap — to sound more informed than ever. Same scam, smarter script.
The IRS arrest warrant call
A caller says there’s a federal warrant for your arrest over unpaid taxes. The IRS does not call threatening arrest. Here’s the full script and why people believe it.
The grandparent AI voice scam
Scammers now clone voices from social media videos. The call sounds exactly like your grandchild. The family code word is your only reliable defense.
The Microsoft tech support pop-up
A browser pop-up locks your screen with an alarm and a phone number. The number reaches a scammer, not Microsoft. Here’s how to close it safely.
Alerts we’re tracking
Scam patterns we’re monitoring and writing up. If you’ve encountered one of these, tell us what you heard — it helps us write more accurate alerts.
- AugustThe Social Security suspension call — your number has been “linked to criminal activity”
- AugustThe fake bank fraud investigator — move your money to a “safe account”
- SeptemberThe Medicare Advantage “free dental” cold call — Open Enrollment scam season starts
- SeptemberThe utility shutoff scam — pay now or your power gets cut today
- OctoberThe lottery / sweepstakes winner scam — pay taxes on your winnings to claim them
- OctoberThe romance scam — online friendship turns into repeated financial requests
Think you’ve spotted a scam? Report it.
Your report helps law enforcement identify patterns and shut down the operations behind these calls. It also helps us write more accurate alerts. Every report matters — even if you didn’t lose money.
AARP Fraud Watch Helpline: 1-877-908-3360 — Mon–Fri, 8 AM–8 PM ET. Free, staffed by trained specialists.