If scammers put half as much effort into honest work as they do tricking grandma out of her life savings, we’d probably have a cure for everything by now.
In this publication, we're uncovering a devastating trend targeting senior citizens in San Diego County—where nearly $70 million has already been lost to scams in just the first half of 2025. The damage is climbing fast, and it’s not just statistics—it’s your neighbors, friends, and maybe even family.
Scammers are preying on San Diego’s elderly through tech support fraud and fake communications—costing victims tens of thousands of dollars each, with losses already nearing last year’s record high.
How It Works:
The most common method? The tech support scam. Here’s how it usually plays out:
- The Scare Tactic: An unexpected pop-up or alert on the victim’s computer or device warns them that their system is compromised.
- The Hook: The alert provides a phone number to call for “tech support.”
- The Trap: The victim calls, and a scammer—posing as a technician—guides them to give remote access to their device.
- The Theft: Once inside, the scammer may steal personal data, install spyware, or trick the victim into paying for fake repairs or software—often with credit cards or wire transfers.
These scams are persistent, convincing, and specifically tailored to exploit the trust and caution of older adults.
Who’s Targeted:
• Senior citizens, particularly in San Diego County
• Individuals with retirement savings or home equity
• Those less familiar with modern tech and cybersecurity threats
Why this group? Seniors often have more savings, may be isolated, and can be less suspicious of authority-sounding calls or urgent pop-up messages.
Real-Life Example:
Godfrey Quiachon, a 77-year-old San Diegan, has successfully dodged the scams—but not everyone is as lucky. One of his close friends recently lost $10,000 after falling for a similar trap. San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan notes:
“It is heartbreaking for us to see case after case where a decent person who has worked hard all their lives calls the number and is taken in by a web of lies and deception.”
Even with interventions like Operation Counter Strike (which has recovered $9 million so far), the sheer volume of cases is overwhelming.
Why You Should Care:
These aren’t harmless pranks—they are full-scale financial ambushes. Victims often:
- Lose their retirement savings
- Experience intense emotional distress
- Feel isolated or ashamed, and may not report the crime
- Have little to no chance of recovering stolen funds
With nearly $70 million lost already this year and new scams popping up regularly, the stakes are higher than ever—especially for our older loved ones.
How to Protect Yourself:
• Don’t Trust Pop-Ups: Never call a phone number from a pop-up or alert on your device. Real tech companies don’t work like that.
• Avoid Sharing Info: Never give out personal or banking info over the phone or in emails unless you initiated the contact.
• Talk to Loved Ones: Families should check in with older relatives regularly about strange calls, messages, or alerts they’ve received.
• Report It: If something seems suspicious, report it to local law enforcement or the FTC. Silence only helps scammers thrive.
• Use Trusted IT Help: If you think your device is compromised, contact a known local technician—not a stranger from the internet.
Quick Tips & Updates
Quick Tip: Legitimate companies like Microsoft or Apple will never ask you to call them because of a pop-up message.
Pro Tip: Bookmark safe, official tech support sites and install reliable antivirus software—especially on your parents’ or grandparents’ computers.
Update: San Diego’s Elder Justice Task Force is actively investigating these scams. They urge victims to come forward without shame—your report could prevent the next one.
Keyword Definitions:
- Tech Support Scam: A type of fraud where scammers pose as technical support agents and trick victims into paying for fake services or giving remote access to their computers.
- Elder Justice Task Force: A collaborative group formed by San Diego County officials, law enforcement, and the FBI to investigate and prevent scams targeting seniors.
- Remote Access: The ability to control a computer or device from a distant location, often misused by scammers to steal information or install malware.
- Pop-Up Alert: A window that appears suddenly on a computer screen, often used by scammers to falsely claim the device is infected or compromised.
- Operation Counter Strike: A local effort in San Diego aimed at recovering money and catching perpetrators involved in senior-targeted scams.
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