Protecting Seniors from Scams: A Complete Home Safety Guide

Protecting Seniors from Scams

Scammers stole nearly $4.9 billion from older Americans in 2024 alone.

That’s not a typo. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, reported losses from seniors increased 43% from 2023, and the real number is likely far higher, since most fraud goes unreported.

Even more alarming: the FTC estimates actual losses may reach $81.5 billion per year when accounting for unreported cases.

For families with elderly parents living at home, protecting seniors from scams has never been more critical. Scammers specifically target older adults at home through phone calls, mail, email, and even by knocking on their doors.

But with the right precautions and support systems, you can significantly reduce your loved one’s risk. This guide covers practical strategies for protecting seniors from scams in their home environment — from securing the mailbox to screening phone calls to knowing when professional home care can help.


Senior Scam Statistics: 2024-2025

The scope of elder fraud has reached crisis levels:

  • $4.9 billion in reported losses from adults 60+ in 2024 (FBI)
  • 147,127 complaints filed by seniors in 2024 — a 46% increase from 2023
  • $2.4 billion in losses reported to the FTC by adults 60+ — up 300% since 2020
  • 68% of total losses came from scams over $100,000
  • 41% of high-loss scams started with a phone call
  • Seniors in their 70s lost a median of $20,000 to investment scams
  • Adults 60+ are 5x more likely to lose money to tech support scams than younger adults

These numbers underscore why protecting seniors from scams should be a priority for every family with aging parents.

Why Scammers Target Seniors at Home

Seniors remain prime targets for several reasons:

  • Financial stability — Seniors often have savings, home equity, and good credit
  • Home alone — Many seniors spend significant time alone without anyone to verify suspicious contacts
  • Trusting nature — Older generations were raised to be polite and give people the benefit of the doubt
  • Less likely to report — Shame, embarrassment, or fear of losing independence keeps many victims silent
  • Unfamiliarity with new technology — Scammers exploit confusion about cryptocurrency, computer security, and digital payments
  • Isolation and loneliness — Seniors seeking connection may be more receptive to friendly strangers

Understanding these vulnerabilities is the first step toward effectively protecting seniors from scams.


Protecting Seniors from Scams: Home Security Strategies

The home should be a safe haven — not a hunting ground for scammers. Here’s how to fortify your loved one’s home environment against fraud:

Secure the Phone

Phone calls remain the #1 way scammers reach seniors. In 2024, 41% of high-loss scams targeting older adults started with a phone call. Protecting seniors from scams starts with securing the phone.

Register on the Do Not Call Registry — Visit DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222. While this won’t stop illegal scam calls, it reduces legitimate telemarketing.

Enable call blocking — Most phone providers offer free call-blocking features. Contact your parents’ carrier to activate them.

Use caller ID — Teach your parent to let unknown numbers go to voicemail. Legitimate callers will leave a message.

Create a callback rule — If someone claims to be from a bank, government agency, or company, hang up and call the official number directly.

Never give information to incoming callers — Legitimate organizations won’t ask for Social Security numbers, passwords, or payment over the phone.

Protect the Mailbox

Mail theft remains a common way scammers gather information about potential victims. Protecting seniors from scams means securing every entry point — including the mailbox.

Switch to paperless statements — Eliminate financial documents from the mailbox entirely when possible.

Install a locking mailbox — Prevents theft of incoming mail containing account information.

Never mail checks from home — Take outgoing mail with checks or sensitive documents directly to the post office.

Shred everything — Invest in a cross-cut shredder and shred all documents with personal information before discarding.

Sign up for Informed Delivery — USPS’s free service emails photos of incoming mail, helping identify if anything goes missing.

Secure the Front Door

Door-to-door scammers pose as contractors, charity workers, or utility employees to gain access to homes or personal information.

Install a video doorbell — Allows your parent to see and speak with visitors without opening the door.

Add a peephole and chain lock — Simple additions that provide an extra layer of security.

Post a “No Soliciting” sign — Creates a clear boundary and provides a polite reason to decline conversations.

Establish a rule — Your parent doesn’t have to open the door to anyone they don’t know or aren’t expecting.

Monitor Financial Accounts

Early detection is critical for minimizing damage from fraud.

Set up account alerts — Enable notifications for transactions over a certain amount or any unusual activity.

Review statements monthly — Look for unauthorized charges, no matter how small. Scammers often test accounts with small purchases first.

Add a trusted contact — Many financial institutions allow you to designate a trusted contact who can be reached if suspicious activity is detected.

Consider a credit freeze — Prevents new accounts from being opened in your parents’ name.

Check credit reports annually — Free reports are available at AnnualCreditReport.com.


Red Flags: What Scammers Say

Part of protecting seniors from scams is teaching them to recognize warning signs. Legitimate organizations will never:

Create urgency — “You must act immediately or face arrest/lose your account/miss this opportunity.”

Demand unusual payment methods — gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or cash — because they’re scammer favorites, as they’re untraceable.

Ask you to keep it secret — “Don’t tell your family” is a major red flag.

Request remote computer access — No legitimate tech company or government agency will call to request access to your computer.

Ask for personal information — Social Security numbers, bank account details, or passwords should never be shared with incoming callers.

The golden rule: If something feels off, hang up. Real opportunities don’t disappear because you took time to verify them.


Have Regular Conversations About Scams

One of the most effective ways to protect seniors from scams is simply to talk about them — regularly and without judgment.

Share news stories — When you hear about a new scam, mention it casually. “Did you hear about that fake IRS call going around?”

Make it normal to ask — Encourage your parent to call you before responding to any unexpected request for money or information.

Remove the shame — Emphasize that scammers are professionals who fool smart people every day. Getting scammed doesn’t mean someone is stupid.

Create a family code word — Establish a word or phrase that family members can use to verify identity during emergency calls.


How Home Care Helps in Protecting Seniors from Scams

Professional caregivers provide an often-overlooked layer of protection against fraud. At All Heart Home Care, our caregivers help shield seniors from scammers in several important ways:

Answering the Phone

Scammers are far less likely to succeed when someone else answers the call. Our caregivers can screen calls, take messages, and help your parent avoid high-pressure conversations with unknown callers.

Answering the Door

A caregiver’s presence deters door-to-door scammers. Our staff can assess whether a visitor is legitimate and protect your parent from pushy salespeople or fraudulent “contractors.”

Managing Mail

Caregivers can collect, sort, and organize mail, discarding obvious junk and scam letters before they reach your parent. This is especially valuable for seniors who enjoy opening mail and may respond to fraudulent sweepstakes or charity appeals.

Providing Companionship

Loneliness makes seniors vulnerable to scammers who offer friendly conversation. When your parent has regular companionship from a trusted caregiver, they’re less likely to seek connection from strangers on the phone or at the door.

Running Errands Safely

Our caregivers can handle tasks that might otherwise expose your parent to fraud — such as mailing important documents to the post office, picking up prescriptions, and paying bills in person when necessary.

Transportation to Appointments

Scammers often impersonate banks, doctors’ offices, and financial advisors over the phone. When a caregiver provides transportation to important appointments in person, there’s no confusion about who your parent is actually speaking with.


What to Do If Your Parent Has Been Scammed

Even with the best efforts to protect seniors from scams, fraud can still occur. If you suspect your parent has fallen victim to a scam, act quickly:

Contact financial institutions immediately — Ask to freeze accounts and reverse any fraudulent transactions.

Report to the FTC — File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Report to the FBI — File a complaint at IC3.gov.

Contact local law enforcement — File a police report for documentation.

Place a fraud alert — Contact one of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) to place a fraud alert.

Get support — The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline (877-908-3360) provides free assistance to scam victims.

Important: Be patient and compassionate. Your parent may feel embarrassed, ashamed, or defensive. Focus on solving the problem together rather than placing blame.


Take the Next Step

Protecting seniors from scams requires vigilance, education, and support. You can’t be there 24/7 — but a professional caregiver can provide the presence and protection your parent needs.

At All Heart Home Care, we’ve been helping San Diego families keep their loved ones safe at home since 2014. Our caregivers provide companionship, assistance with daily tasks, and an extra layer of security against those who would take advantage of vulnerable seniors.

Contact us today at (619) 736-4677 to schedule a free in-home consultation. We’ll discuss your parents’ needs and explain how our services can help with protecting seniors from scams while maintaining their independence and quality of life.

Because your parent deserves to feel safe in their own home.


References

  1. Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2025). Elder Fraud Report 2024. ic3.gov
  2. Federal Trade Commission. (2025). Protecting Older Consumers 2024-2025: A Report to Congress. ftc.gov
  3. Federal Trade Commission. (2025). False Alarm, Real Scam: How Scammers Are Stealing Older Adults’ Life Savings. ftc.gov
  4. AARP. (2025). FBI: Older Fraud Victims Lost $4.9 Billion in 2024. aarp.org
  5. Federal Communications Commission. (2025). Stop Unwanted Robocalls and Texts. fcc.gov

Additional Resources


This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Statistics cited are from FBI, FTC, and AARP reports published in 2024-2025. If you believe you or a loved one has been the victim of fraud, contact local law enforcement and the appropriate reporting agencies.

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About the author

Eric Barth, co-founder and CEO of All Heart Home Care San Diego

Eric Barth

CEO, All Heart Home Care

Eric Barth is the founder and CEO of All Heart Home Care™, an award-winning San Diego agency dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized in-home care for seniors. As the writer behind the All Heart Home Care blog, Eric shares insights and stories drawn from years of hands-on experience leading one of San Diego’s most trusted home care teams.

Additional FAQ's on Digital Home Care System

Yes. HITRUST CSF Certified security—same gold standard hospitals use. More secure than paper.

Extremely rare (99.9% uptime), but caregivers can work in offline mode if connectivity is temporarily lost. Care continues without interruption. Documentation syncs automatically when connection returns.

Caregivers document throughout their shift in real-time. Notes are typically finalized and visible in Family Room within minutes of the caregiver clocking out.

We can set up Family Room accounts for as many family members as you want—local siblings, children in other states, anyone you authorize. Everyone sees the same information. No limit on number of accounts.

Yes. Family Room includes secure document storage. Upload medical records, insurance cards, POLST forms, medication lists, doctor’s instructions, photos—anything important. All authorized family members can access these documents. No more searching for forms.

We update the digital care plan immediately, and all caregivers receive instant notification of changes. This is one of the biggest advantages over paper—updates reach everyone simultaneously, not gradually over days or weeks.

Absolutely. Family Room is a tool for families who want it, not a replacement for human connection. We’re always reachable by phone at (619) 736-4677. Many families use both—portal for quick updates, phone calls for detailed conversations.

We train every caregiver on the WellSky mobile app before their first shift. The app is intuitive—designed specifically for caregivers, not engineers. If someone can text and use GPS navigation, they can use our caregiver app. And we provide ongoing support.

Yes. The Family Room care calendar shows upcoming shifts with caregiver names and times. You’ll know exactly who’s coming and when. No more surprise caregiver switches.

Use the two-way messaging feature in Family Room. Send your message, and the caregiver receives an instant notification on their mobile app. They’ll see it and can respond or confirm receipt immediately.

Yes. All notes are searchable. Want to see every mention of “appetite” from the past month? Type it in the search bar and find all relevant notes instantly. No more flipping through pages of handwritten entries.

You can access the complete care history from the day Family Room access began. Review notes from last week, last month, or since care started. Historical data helps identify patterns over time.

Family members cannot delete caregiver documentation—that’s protected and maintained by All Heart for record-keeping purposes. You can delete your own uploaded documents, but we can often recover those if needed within a certain timeframe.

With your authorization, we can provide limited Family Room access to healthcare providers. This allows better coordination between home care and medical teams. You control exactly who has access and what they can see.

Family Room works both ways. You can access it through any web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) on your computer, or download the mobile app for easier access on your phone or tablet. Your choice.

All authorized Family Room users see the same care information—we can’t create different access levels for different family members. However, you (as the primary contact) control who gets Family Room access in the first place. If family dynamics are challenging, you decide who receives login credentials.

The messaging system shows when messages are delivered and read. You’ll see confirmation that the caregiver received and opened your message. For critical information, you can also call our office to ensure the message was received.

Yes. You can print individual shift notes, date ranges, or specific types of documentation (like Change of Condition reports) directly from Family Room. Useful for doctor appointments or insurance purposes.

If your loved one transitions to hospice, hospital, or another care setting, we can maintain your Family Room access for a transition period so you have complete records. After care ends, we provide a final data export if requested, then access is closed according to your wishes and legal requirements.

Yes. Family Room is accessible from anywhere with internet connection. If you’re traveling abroad, you can still check on your loved one’s care. The system works globally.

Family Room doesn’t support selective information sharing—all authorized users see the same care documentation. For private family communications, you’d need to use personal email, phone, or text outside the Family Room system.

Change of Condition reports automatically alert you when caregivers document significant health changes. For custom alerts (like specific behaviors or situations), talk to our office—we may be able to add special flags to your loved one’s care plan that trigger notifications.

We typically set up Family Room access during your initial care planning meeting, before the first caregiver shift. You’ll have login credentials and a brief tutorial on how to use the portal. Most families are viewing their first shift notes within 24 hours of care beginning.

Complete Security & Privacy Information

HITRUST CSF Certification - What This Means

HITRUST CSF (Common Security Framework) is the most rigorous security certification in healthcare. It's harder to achieve than HIPAA compliance alone. This certification requires:

Why it matters: If it’s secure enough for hospital patient records, it’s secure enough for your loved one’s care information.

Bank-Level Encryption Explained

Data in Storage (At Rest):

Data in Transmission (In Transit):

What this means: Even if someone intercepted the data (extremely unlikely), they would only see scrambled, unreadable information.

Strict Access Controls

Who Can See What

Family Member Access:

Caregiver Access:

Staff Access:

Audit Trail:

HIPAA Compliance - Federal Protection

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establishes federal standards for protecting health information. Our compliance includes:

Privacy Rule Compliance:

Security Rule Compliance:

Breach Notification:

Business Associate Agreements:

Continuous Backup & Disaster Recovery

Automated Backups:

Redundancy:

Disaster Recovery Plan:

What this guarantees: Your loved one’s care information is never truly lost. Even if an entire data center were destroyed, complete backups exist elsewhere.

99.9% Uptime Guarantee

What “99.9% uptime” means:

Monitoring:

If the system goes down:

Multi-Factor Authentication (Optional)

For families who want extra security, we can enable multi-factor authentication (MFA):

Mobile Device Security

Caregiver Phones:

Your Devices:

Security Incident Response

In the extremely unlikely event of a security concern:

Digital vs. Paper Security Comparison

Security Concern
Paper Binders
WellSky_Color

Who can read it?

Anyone who enters the home

Only authorized users

Can it be lost?

✔︎ — permanently

— backed up continuously

Can it be damaged?

✔︎ — spills, fires, floods

— stored digitally

Is access tracked?

✔︎ Access logged & audited

Encryption protection?

✔︎ — bank-level encryption

Updates reach everyone?

— printing/distribution delays

✔︎ — instant notification

Survives disasters?

✔︎ — redundant backups

HIPAA compliant?

— difficult to prove

✔︎ — certified & audited

Can be accidentally discarded?

✔︎

— requires a password

Verdict: Digital is significantly more secure than paper in every measurable way.

Common Security Questions

"What if I forget my password?"

Secure password reset process via email or phone verification. We verify your identity before resetting access.

"Can hackers access the system?"

Multiple layers of security make unauthorized access extremely difficult. Regular penetration testing simulates attacks to identify and fix vulnerabilities before hackers can exploit them.

"What if my phone is stolen?"

Change your password immediately from any other device. The thief would still need your password to access Family Room.

"Can All Heart staff see my credit card information?"

No. Payment processing is handled by a separate, PCI-compliant payment processor. We never see or store your full credit card number.

"What happens to the data if I stop using All Heart?"

Your data is retained according to legal requirements (typically 7 years for healthcare records), then securely deleted. You can request a copy of your data at any time.

This isn’t just secure—it’s among the most secure systems available in healthcare.

Your information is safer in our digital system than it ever was in a paper binder sitting on a kitchen counter.

Complete Care Plan Contents:

Care Goals & Priorities

Emergency Contact Information

Medical Conditions & Health History

Mental Health & Cognitive Status

Medications & Supplements

Mobility & Transfers

Personal Care Routines

Meal Preparation & Dietary Needs

Daily Routines & Schedules

Activities & Engagement

Home Environment Details

Transportation & Driving

Additional Important Information

This comprehensive information ensures every caregiver provides consistent, personalized care from day one.

Tracking health changes that matter.

The Change of Condition form documents significant shifts in your loved one’s health—new symptoms, changes in mobility, behavioral differences, or improvements in their condition. This isn’t about minor day-to-day variations; it’s about meaningful changes that physicians, families, and caregivers need to know about.

Why have a separate form for this?

Instead of searching through weeks of caregiver narratives to find when symptoms started or conditions changed, this form puts all significant health changes in one easy-to-reference place. When doctors ask “when did the difficulty walking begin?” or family members want to understand the progression of a condition, you’ll have clear, dated documentation right at your fingertips.

What gets documented:

Each entry includes:

Why this form matters:

Early detection changes outcomes. When caregivers notice something different—increased confusion, difficulty walking, loss of appetite, or even positive improvements like better mobility—documenting it immediately allows for faster responses.

Your family stays informed about meaningful health changes. Physicians receive accurate updates during appointments instead of relying on memory. Incoming caregivers know exactly what’s changed and what new precautions or assistance your loved one needs.

One form. Complete health timeline. Better care.

Whether tracking a temporary change after a fall or documenting the progression of a chronic condition, the Change of Condition form creates a clear health timeline. This helps everyone—doctors, family members, and our San Diego caregiver team—understand how your loved one’s needs are evolving and respond appropriately.

Proactive monitoring isn’t just good practice. It’s essential senior care.

How the Caregiver Narrative works.

Each caregiver documents their shift using a simple timeline format that captures the essential details of your loved one’s day. This structured approach ensures consistency across all caregivers and makes information easy to find.

What we document in every narrative:

Narrative Format:

Each entry follows this structure:

Why this format works:

This timeline approach provides clear, chronological documentation that’s easy for incoming caregivers to read and understand. Instead of wondering what happened during the previous shift, they can see exactly what your loved one ate, how they felt, what activities they enjoyed, and any health changes observed.

One record. Every shift. Complete continuity.

Whether care is short-term, long-term, or evolving, the Caregiver Narrative ensures nothing gets missed and nothing gets repeated. Your family can review the journal at any time during visits, or we can share photos of recent narratives with long-distance family members who want to stay connected and informed.

Complete transparency and peace of mind, right when you need it.

Your loved one's complete care roadmap, now available digitally.

The All Heart Customized Care Plan is completed during your initial assessment and tailored to your loved one’s specific needs, preferences, mobility level, and safety requirements.

Now fully digital and accessible on every caregiver’s phone.

We’ve gone paperless. Your care plan is accessible through our digital platform—caregivers reference it anytime, anywhere. Updates happen in real-time, so when something changes, every caregiver sees it immediately.

What's included:

Care goals, emergency contacts, medical conditions, mental health & cognitive status, medications & supplements, mobility & transfers, personal care routines, meal prep & dietary needs, daily routines, activities & engagement, and home environment details.

One plan. Every caregiver. Consistent care.

This digital approach ensures every San Diego caregiver has the same accurate, up-to-date information from day one—promoting safety, continuity, and person-centered care.

See how we organize care information. This form becomes your loved one’s digital care roadmap.