Scams

BBB warns of new financial grooming scams targeting seniors

Mary Dada

19 Mar 2026 — 2 min read

Scammers are targeting seniors via a tactic in which they gain trust first before making their move ©Image Credit: Unsplash / Vitaly Gariev

There is a new scam in town. And it doesn’t feel like one. Unlike many scams that start with a big ask, this scam starts with a conversation. It’s a long game, with the scammers building trust first, sometimes over weeks or even months. And that’s exactly why more older Americans are being targeted and losing more money.

Meet the scam called “financial grooming”

These schemes, known as financial grooming scams, involve months of conversation before any money is mentioned. It can look like a romantic connection or a helpful “investment advisor.” It can even be someone posing as a trusted authority or relation. By the time money comes up, trust is already there.

It is hitting seniors the hardest

Scammers tend to target older Americans more. Clearly, they make easy prey, with financial stability, established credit, and a higher level of trust. These things make them more vulnerable to these long-play tactics. Scammers are leaning into that vulnerability and using phone calls, texts, emails, and even social media to get to them.

Once a relationship is built, the request comes in different forms, such as impostor scams, lottery scams, and tech support scams. Another popular tactic is investment or crypto pitches with promises to yield big returns.

Sometimes, it is not even a stranger

If you think the scam has to come from someone you don’t know, think again. In one recent case in Texas, a man was charged after allegedly stealing over $17,000 from a woman’s bank account, including transactions made before and after her death.

The money was eventually recovered. But that should tell you that strangers are not the only ones you should be wary of.

The smartest move is to slow down

BBB has advice for you that cuts right through most scams. Whatever the financial move is, always remember that scammers rely on urgency and pressure. That feeling of “you need to act right now.”

But the moment you pause, verify, and talk to someone you really trust, the script starts to fall apart.

So, don’t rush your decisions, double-check who you are talking to, do your due diligence, and keep an eye on your account. Because this new scam does not always look like one. And staying wary is what keeps your money where it belongs.

Source: Tyler Morning Telegraph

FDA shares warning against eating these chocolates found to contain hidden drugs

If you've got a sweet spot for chocolate, you'll need to be careful about what brand you purchase. Gear Isle has issued a voluntary nationwide recall of a particular chocolate product. Chocolate contains undeclared ingredients Even though this is a voluntary product recall by the manufacturer

Netflix is raising prices for the second time in a year

Your streaming bill just crept up, as Netflix has raised its subscription prices again. This is the second time in just over a year, and this time, every single plan is getting hit. Let’s look at what is changing and how much more you will have to pay. Netflix

Chipotle and Outback among major chains making big menu changes

If you're tired of the same old menu items at your favorite fast-food restaurants, you may be in luck. A handful of chains, including Chipotle and Outback Steakhouse, are making menu updates and improvements their priority. It's all about the new items There's clearly

Feds warn of new crypto ATM scams specifically targeting senior citizens

You’ve probably seen those crypto ATMs tucked next to the snack aisle or near the lottery machine. They look harmless. Kind of futuristic, even. But officials are now warning that they have become a go-to tool for scammers targeting elderly people. This scam is pretty much "Panic as