Every week we hear from seniors who have received frightening phone calls or messages. These scams are designed to scare you into acting fast, before you have time to think. Here is what to watch out for.
Quick answer: Scammers use fear and urgency to trick you. If someone calls asking for money or personal information, hang up. Never pay with gift cards or give remote access to your computer. When in doubt, call a trusted family member or Senior Help.
Why This Happens
Scammers target seniors because they are often home during the day, may be lonely, and are generally trusting. They use fake emergencies or official-sounding threats to get you to act without thinking.
1. The Microsoft or Apple Support Scam
You get a call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft or Apple. They say your computer has a virus and they need to access it remotely to fix it.
What to do: Hang up immediately. Microsoft and Apple will never call you out of the blue. If you are worried about your computer, call a trusted tech support person.
2. The CRA Tax Scam
Someone calls claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). They say you owe money and will be arrested if you do not pay immediately — usually with gift cards.
What to do: Hang up. The CRA never demands payment by gift card or threatens arrest over the phone. If you are unsure, call the CRA directly using a number from their official website.
3. The Grandchild Emergency Scam
Someone calls pretending to be your grandchild or a lawyer. They say there has been an accident and they need money urgently.
What to do: Hang up and call your grandchild directly on their real phone number. Do not send money without verifying.
4. The Pop-Up Virus Warning
A scary message appears on your screen with a phone number to call. It says your computer is infected.
What to do: Do not call the number. Close the browser window or turn off your computer. Real virus warnings never show a phone number.
5. The Lottery or Prize Scam
You receive a message saying you won a prize but need to pay a fee to collect it.
What to do: Delete the message. You cannot win a contest you never entered. Legitimate prizes are always free to collect.
What If This Does Not Work?
If you have already given money or personal information, do not panic. Call your bank or credit card company to stop payment. Then call Senior Help — we can guide you on next steps.
Quick Tips
- Never share personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call.
- Do not pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Scammers ask for these because they are hard to trace.
- If a caller pressures you to act fast, it is a scam. Take your time.
- Write down the scammer's number and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
When To Ask For Help
If you are unsure about a call or message, ask for help before doing anything. Call a family member, a friend, or Senior Help. We are here to help you stay safe.
Call us at (705) 528-4582 if you have questions about a suspicious call or want to learn more about protecting yourself.