ENNIS – Ennis Police Department recently put out a list of the top senior resident scams of 2025.
If these scams sound familiar or, if you get a call like the ones described below, read the solutions suggested by Ennis PD so you don’t get scammed.
Phishing Scam: Scammers send fake emails or text messages that appear to be from trusted institutions.
Once you open the message, they try to obtain your personal information or passwords.
Solution: Never click on or open unsolicited emails.
Romance Scam: Scammers exploit the emotions of seniors by posing as potential partners on dating sites, slowly building trust. Eventually, they create a fake emergency that requires the senior to send them money.
Solution: Never send money to someone you have only met online.
Medicare/Healthcare Scams: Fraudsters impersonate insurance representatives, claiming that seniors may lose their coverage.
They then request personal information, such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and bank account details.
Solution: Know that Medicare will never ask for payment over the phone, and report any suspicious activity to 1-800-MEDICARE.
Tech Support Scams: Scammers convince seniors that their computers are infected with viruses.
This is done through pop-up ads or links that allow them to access your computer.
Solution: Never allow anyone access to your computer. Reputable antivirus companies do not use pop-ups.
Lottery, Sweepstakes Scam: Seniors are told that they have won a lottery or sweepstakes, but must pay taxes or fees before claiming their prize.
After the payment is made, the scammers disappear.
Solution: Legitimate lotteries will never ask for upfront fees.
Online Shopping Fraud: Scammers create fake online storefronts that mimic legitimate retail stores, offering significant discounts on products.
Seniors may pay for items that ultimately never get shipped, as the website is not real.
Solution: Be cautious of significant discounts found in your inbox. Only purchase products from the actual store’s website.
Robocalls: With advancements in AI, these calls are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Scammers may pose as the IRS or other government agencies demanding immediate payment, or claim that a child or grandchild has been arrested and needs bail.
They may even mimic the voices of family members.
In all these scams, they request payment via gift cards or cryptocurrencies.
Solution: No reputable company will ask for payment using gift cards or cryptocurrencies.
Investment Scams: Scammers offer low-risk, high-reward investments, often involving cryptocurrencies or oil and mineral companies, persuading seniors to invest large sums of money with promises of high returns.
Solution: Never invest over the phone. Always contact legitimate investment brokerage firms directly.
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