December 3, 2025 by
It starts with what looks like a helpful message: a pop-up alert saying your computer’s been hacked, a text warning that your bank account is at risk, or an email claiming to be from customer service. It might even include a friendly phone number to call for help.
What follows feels professional and urgent, someone claiming to scan for viruses, check for fraudulent charges, or protect your life savings. But according to the FBI, these so-called “helpers” are part of an elaborate new senior phantom hacker scam that has already cost older adults more than $1 billion this year.
This isn’t the typical “Nigerian prince” scam. It’s far more convincing, coordinated, and cruel.
How the Senior Phantom Hacker Scam Works
The scam unfolds in stages, each one carefully designed to build trust and panic.
- The Alert: It starts with a fake warning, often a pop-up on your computer or a text message claiming your account has been compromised. It may appear to come from a well-known company, like Microsoft, Amazon, or your bank.
- The Helper: When you call the number provided, you’re connected to a scammer posing as tech support. They may “run a scan” on your computer and say they’ve found a serious virus or a hacker trying to steal from you.
- The Escalation: Within hours or days, another scammer, posing as a bank or even a government official, calls to “follow up.” They’ll claim your money isn’t safe where it is and instruct you to move it to a “secure account.”
- The Trap: In reality, that “secure account” belongs to them. Once the transfer happens, your money is nearly impossible to recover.
One Kansas man recently spent 17,000 minutes—that’s almost 12 days!—on the phone with scammers who pretended to protect him while secretly draining his savings. These criminals know how to sound credible, patient, and kind. They may even monitor your activity or warn you not to tell anyone what’s happening.
Why Older Adults Are Often Targeted
Older adults are frequently singled out because of their trusting nature, financial stability, and willingness to follow authority. Many are also less familiar with newer tech, making pop-up warnings or official-looking emails appear legitimate.
The scammers’ tone is often reassuring, but it quickly becomes urgent. They might say things like:
- “Your account has been compromised.”
- “Don’t log into your bank account; it’s being watched.”
- “Transfer your money for safekeeping before the hackers steal it.”
Their tactics play on fear and confusion, two emotions that can override logic, especially for someone worried about losing everything they’ve worked for.
How to Protect the Person You Love
Preventing this kind of scam starts with open conversations and awareness. Here are some steps to help protect an older adult in your life:
- Never click or call from a pop-up or unsolicited message. If a warning appears, close the window and restart the computer.
- Go directly to the source. If the message claims to be from your bank or a tech company, look up the number independently. Don’t use the one in the alert.
- Hang up on pressure. Any caller who insists you act immediately, move money, or keep secrets is a scammer. Legitimate companies and government agencies never operate that way.
- Set up trusted communication habits. Encourage your loved one to call you or a designated family member before taking any financial action.
- Stay involved. Check in regularly about unexpected calls, emails, or computer issues. Even small changes in behavior (like secrecy or worry about money) can be early warning signs.
If you suspect someone has already been scammed, contact the bank immediately and report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
We’re Here to Help
For older adults, the internet can feel like both a lifeline and a minefield. The goal isn’t to create fear, but confidence, helping them know what’s safe and what’s not.
At Home Independent Living believes security and peace of mind go hand in hand. Our caregivers provide not only daily support, but also companionship and awareness, helping older adults recognize suspicious messages, avoid scams, and stay connected safely.
If someone you love in Syracuse, Clay, Camillus, or anywhere else in Central New York could use an extra layer of care and protection, call us at (315) 579-HOME (4663) to learn more about our senior care services.