Your Elderly Parent Got Scammed: The First 48 Hours and Who to Call
Call the bank first, then the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311). What to do in the first 48 hours, without blame, and how to help prevent it happening again.
Quick answer: If your elderly parent has just been scammed, call their bank immediately to try to freeze or reverse the transaction, then call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311 (833-FRAUD-11), a free Department of Justice service for adults age 60 and older, open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern, seven days a week. File at ic3.gov the same day. Acting within the first hours gives the best chance of stopping or recovering the money.
Finding out a parent has been scammed is frightening, and older adults are targeted deliberately because scammers bet on hesitation, shame, or not wanting to worry family. None of that is your parent's fault. Here is what actually helps in the first 48 hours.
The first 48 hours
- Call the bank or card issuer immediately. Report the transaction as fraud and ask about a recall, freeze, or dispute, depending on how the money was sent.
- Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-372-8311. Run by the Department of Justice for adults 60 and older, it is free, confidential, open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern daily, and can help identify next steps and file reports.
- File at ic3.gov with every detail: dates, amounts, contact information used by the scammer, and how payment was made.
- Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- Secure their accounts. Change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and check for any remote-access software (like AnyDesk or TeamViewer) the scammer may have had your parent install, uninstalling it if found.
- Consider a credit freeze if personal information such as a Social Security number was shared.
Reducing the chance it happens again
Talk through what happened without blame; scammers are skilled and shame keeps victims from reporting, which only helps the scammer. Set up a family "safe word" for emergency requests for money. If they are willing, ask their brokerage firm about adding a trusted contact person, a FINRA-required safeguard that lets the firm reach a family member if it suspects exploitation, and ask their bank about becoming an authorized user or setting up a power of attorney. Encourage them to hang up and call a family member before acting on any urgent money request, even one that sounds like it is from you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the National Elder Fraud Hotline? A free, DOJ-run hotline at 833-372-8311 for adults age 60 and older and their families, open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern daily, to report fraud and get guidance on next steps.
How fast should we act? As fast as possible. Call the bank within the first hour if you can; speed is what makes a freeze or recall possible.
Should I be angry or confront my parent? No. Scammers are professionals who specifically target trust and isolation. Focus on reporting and securing accounts, not blame.
What if a remote-access app was installed on their computer? Uninstall it, change passwords on any account accessed during the session, and consider having the device professionally checked.
Can a legal power of attorney help going forward? It can, for ongoing financial oversight, but discuss it directly with your parent and consider consulting an elder-law attorney rather than acting unilaterally.
Is a "trusted contact" a bank feature? No. It is a FINRA rule for brokerage and investment accounts specifically. For a bank account, ask about becoming an authorized user or setting up a power of attorney instead.
Related: the "safe account" bank-impersonation scam and how to file an IC3 complaint.
If your family has been targeted, you are not alone. See our cybercrime help hub for step-by-step reporting and recovery guides.