FBI Philadelphia wants to remind families, friends and caregivers of fraud schemes targeting older people.

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center 2025 Annual Report, those over the age of 60 filed over 201,000 complaints to the IC3, with over $7.7 billion in reported losses, a 59% increase in losses from 2024.

Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated with the use of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency by criminals, according to a press release from authorities.

Scammers rely on pressure techniques to defraud older people while deploying fake social profiles, voice clones, identification documents and believable video or audio depicting public figures or loved ones.

Red flags to look out for and tips include:

•Do not invest per the advice of someone you meet solely online.

•Verify the validity of any investment opportunity from strangers or long-lost contacts on social media websites.

•Resist the pressure to act quickly. Scammers create a sense of urgency to produce fear and lure victims into immediate action. Call the police immediately if you feel there is a danger to yourself or a loved one.

•Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, mailings and door-to-door service offers.

•Never give or send any personally identifiable information, money, jewelry, gift cards, checks or wire information to unverified people or businesses.

•Make sure all computer antivirus and security software and malware protections are current. Use reputable antivirus software and fire walls.

•Be careful what you download. Never open an email attachment from someone you don’t know and be wary of email attachments forwarded to you.

If you or someone you know may have been a victim of elder fraud, contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at tips.fbi.gov.

If the suspected fraud was Internet-facilitated, you can also file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.