The FBI warns that phone, text, and email scams often target seniors to steal personal, financial, and login credentials. Reports highlighted schemes that use “warrant/arrest” claims and identity-theft themes to drain life savings.

In a public warning, the FBI describes how fraudsters heavily target older adults using phishing and spoofing delivered through phone calls, texts, and emails. The scams are designed to pressure victims into sharing sensitive information—such as account credentials, banking details, or verification codes—often through urgency and authority-based claims. The FBI notes that one common pattern involves government impersonation, where scammers present themselves as officials and falsely accuse victims or claim legal action is imminent. These approaches may include “warrant” or “arrest” language intended to push immediate compliance. Another recurring element is identity-theft enablement, where the fraudsters collect data that can be used to open accounts, access existing accounts, or authorize fraudulent transfers. The FBI’s guidance emphasizes recognizing unsolicited requests for credentials and financial information, treating unexpected enforcement-related messages as a red flag, and avoiding engagement with links or instructions provided by unknown callers or senders. Victims are encouraged to take immediate steps to secure accounts and report suspicious activity rather than trusting the impersonators’ claims.