5 types of fraud to watch out for

Key Points

  • Investing scams targeted at retirees are becoming increasingly common
  • Fraud can be difficult to prosecute, so awareness and prevention are key
  • If your parents are on a post-work fixed income, rebuilding lost assets can be more challenging

Seniors lose $36.4 billion each year to financial abuse — $16.8 billion of which comes from deceptive investing tactics designed specifically to take advantage of older Americans.¹ Also known as “financial exploitation,” this type of investment fraud is defined by the use of misleading language to obtain account information and permission to access the victim’s money.

According to the National Council on Aging, investment fraud targeting seniors has become so widespread that it’s now considered “the crime of the 21st century.”² While financial scams often go unreported, they can be devastating to older Americans who have less time to make up for losses. 

Retirees are particularly vulnerable to investing scams because they often have large amounts of money saved, and “get rich quick” schemes can be appealing to those on a fixed income.

The first step to protecting yourself — or a parent — from investing scams is knowing which red flags to look for. Here are the five most common types of fraud:




What to watch for: Smaller, lesser-known companies are more likely to be used in this scheme because it’s easier to manipulate a stock when there’s little or no information available about the company.

Targeting seniors has become so widespread that it's now considered "the crime of the 21st century."2
- National Council on Aging


The internet has eroded barriers that once made it difficult for overseas fraudsters to prey on U.S. residents. Conflicting time zones, the cost of international telephone calls and differing currencies are no longer an obstacle — and international wire transfers can occur instantaneously. Phone calls are a common method of communication for the perpetrators, enabling real-time wire transfers to be made before victims have time to do any research.

What to watch for: Investment opportunities originating in a country that is outside the jurisdiction of local U.S. law enforcement agencies. Ask for legal documentation stating where the funds are registered.

Used in an official capacity, this term describes the top 50 or so banks in the world. Real prime banks often trade high-quality, low-risk investments such as bonds. Fraudsters often claim investors’ funds will be used to purchase “prime bank” investments that they claim will generate significant gains. Because these investments usually don’t exist, investors are unlikely to see their money again.

What to watch for: The term “prime bank” is often used by perpetrators looking to lend legitimacy to their scheme, whereas real prime banks that are easily located through a Google search are able to rely on name recognition alone.


What to watch for: Federal laws require that disclosures with legally-required details about their offerings are located at the bottom of documents on company-generated information. Fraudulent newsletters are unlikely to provide such language.

Talk to us first

Not sure an investment you’re interested in is the real thing? It’s wise not to make any sudden moves. Your advisor can help determine whether it’s legitimate or explore alternative investments with you.

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