Palm Beach County Senior Scam Protection Guide

Related resources:

If you have a parent or grandparent living in a 55+ community in Palm Beach County, this page is designed to be your “bookmark and share” resource.

Scams have evolved. Caller IDs can be spoofed. Emails and texts can look official. AI can create convincing voices and video. The goal here is simple: help your family recognize the patterns early and stop money from moving.

The #1 Rule: Gift Cards = Scam

If anyone asks for payment in gift cards — Target, Apple, Google Play, Amazon — it’s a scam. No exceptions.

The Most Common Scams Targeting Florida Seniors

1) Xfinity / Comcast Impostor Billing Call

  • Caller ID looks like a trusted brand
  • They may know real account details
  • They offer a “discount” with an upfront payment requirement
  • They ask for gift cards or a wire transfer

2) Fake Zoom Links and Login Traps

  • Unexpected Zoom “invites” arrive via text or email
  • Clicking can lead to a fake login page or malware
  • Best practice: you create the Zoom link and share it

3) Romance Scams (Including AI Video)

  • Weeks or months of daily bonding
  • A “crisis” appears right before the money request
  • Requests start small, then escalate
  • Red flag: they avoid meeting in person, repeatedly

4) Medicare / Social Security Impersonation

  • Threats: benefits expiring, account suspension, criminal activity
  • Goal: personal info, SSN/Medicare ID, or “verification payment”
  • Reality: they don’t call to threaten or demand payment

5) Tech Support Takeover

  • Pop-up warns of hacking or “virus detected”
  • They demand remote access to “fix it”
  • Goal: drain accounts, steal passwords, install ransomware

Five Warning Signs Families Should Talk About Now

  • They ask for gift cards.
  • They push extreme urgency. “Act now or lose everything.”
  • They discourage talking to family. Secrecy is the trap.
  • A link arrives unexpectedly. Don’t click. Type the website yourself.
  • They won’t meet in person. They always have a reason.

What To Do If You Suspect a Scam

  1. Stop the conversation. Hang up. Don’t argue. Don’t “prove” anything.
  2. Verify independently. Call the company back using the number on your statement, card, or official website.
  3. If money moved, call the bank immediately. Speed matters.
  4. Report it. File at ic3.gov and ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  5. Use AARP’s Fraud Watch Helpline. 877-908-3360.

Need to Talk Through a Situation?

If something feels off and you want a calm second set of eyes, call me.

Brian Wilder
561-201-4717
The Wilder Real Estate Group

Spanish-speaking clients: Lucy Lopez — 561-285-8809

Information current as of publication date. Scam patterns evolve — always verify with official agencies and official phone numbers.