If someone knocks on your door and says they’re there to pick up $50,000 in cash “for tech support”—it might be time to cancel the antivirus, not your common sense.
In this publication, we're uncovering a sophisticated and heartbreaking scam targeting older adults, draining their life savings and confidence. Let’s dive right in.
Elder fraud scams are exploding in San Diego County, with at least $108 million reported lost in 2024 alone. Criminals—often based overseas—trick seniors into thinking they owe money, then send couriers to collect it in person.
How It Works:
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The Hook:
It begins with a fake pop-up or text message—like a phony Norton antivirus alert—claiming the senior has been charged for something they didn’t buy. -
The Panic Call:
Victims are urged to call a “support” number. On the other end? A smooth-talking scammer (like “Roger”) posing as a helpful technician. -
The “Mistake”:
The victim is instructed to enter a number on their screen to receive a refund. But instead of $500, $50,000 “appears” to be deposited in their account—usually by moving their own money between accounts. -
The Urgency:
The scammer pretends the overpayment was an error that could cost them their job. Victims are told to withdraw cash immediately and hand it to a courier. -
The Pickup:
A real person—often wearing regular clothes—shows up to collect the money. These couriers are often paid $1,000 per pickup, with the rest laundered overseas.
Who’s Targeted:
- Seniors aged 60+, especially those who use email or browse the internet
- Residents of San Diego County, but the scam is growing nationwide
- Educated professionals—doctors, lawyers, judges—who are often more trusting of official-sounding instructions
Real-Life Example:
Dale Marsh, a 75-year-old from Carlsbad, got a text thanking him for a Norton Antivirus purchase he never made. He called the number, spoke with “Roger,” and was convinced to enter a refund amount. Moments later, it looked like $50,000 was in his checking account.
The scammer panicked and insisted a courier be sent to retrieve the cash. Dale’s wife, Chris, grew suspicious and called Carlsbad Police—just in time. Officers and the FBI set up a sting, and Dale handed over fake cash in a shoebox to the courier, leading to four arrests.
Why You Should Care:
These scams are more than just embarrassing mistakes—they can wipe out retirement funds, disrupt financial stability, and leave victims feeling ashamed and vulnerable.
Victims often don’t report it, thinking it was their fault. But these scams are designed to trick even the savviest among us. The FBI has seen victims lose everything—even their ability to pay rent or buy groceries.
With more than 1,300 victims in San Diego County alone last year, no one is too smart or too safe.
How to Protect Yourself:
• Don’t Trust Pop-Ups or Unexpected Texts
Ignore unsolicited messages claiming you’ve been charged. Don’t call the number provided—look up official contact info yourself.
• Never Let Strangers Into Your Accounts
Don’t install apps or give remote access to your computer unless you initiated contact with a trusted provider.
• Hang Up on Urgency
Scammers create artificial deadlines. If someone tells you to act now or lose everything, it's almost always a scam.
• Never Give or Hand Over Cash to a Stranger
Legitimate companies will never send someone to your house to pick up money.
• Call the Police if Something Feels Off
Even a non-emergency call can trigger a life-saving response—just like it did for Dale and Chris.
Quick Tips & Updates:
Quick Tip #1: Did you know? In 2024, the average loss per senior scam victim in San Diego County was $80,000—and that’s only what was reported.
Pro Tip: Add a trusted contact to your financial accounts. Some banks allow alerts to be sent to a second person when large transactions occur.
Update: San Diego now has a first-of-its-kind Elder Justice Task Force, combining law enforcement, social workers, and federal agents under one roof to stop these scams and recover lost funds—returning over $7.5 million last year.
Stay safe, stay informed.
Keywords:
• Elder Fraud – A scam specifically targeting older adults, often involving impersonation and emotional manipulation.
• Courier Scam – A fraud tactic where criminals send couriers to collect cash from victims directly.
• Overpayment Scam – A trick where scammers "accidentally" deposit funds into your account and ask for a refund.
• Malware – Software that allows scammers to access your computer and banking info.
• Urgency Tactic – A psychological method scammers use to pressure victims into fast, irrational decisions.
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