In 2024, seniors lost over $3.4 billion to scams—and many of those started with a friend request.
That’s not a typo. That’s billion with a B.
Related Page: PROTECTING YOUR SENIOR INVESTMENTS: A GUIDE TO AVOIDING FINANCIAL SCAMS
What used to be a knock on the door or a phone call during dinner has now gone digital. Facebook, the go-to social media platform for staying connected with family, sharing photos of grandkids, and keeping up with the community, has also become a goldmine for scammers. And the worst part? These scams don’t look like scams. They look like a friendly message. A new friend request. A distant relative you don’t quite remember. Or someone who just seems really nice.
For seniors, who are increasingly using Facebook to stay engaged and informed, the threat is real—and rising. But awareness is the first step to protection. And that’s exactly what we’re going to give you today.
In this article, we’ll break down:
- The top social media scams targeting seniors in 2025
- How to spot the red flags before it’s too late
- What to do if you (or someone you love) gets tricked
- Steps to make your Facebook account safer starting today
Why Scammers Target Seniors on Facebook
Let’s clear one thing up: seniors are not getting scammed because they’re “bad with technology.” That’s a myth—and an unfair one.
In fact, seniors are incredibly good at adapting. What makes them vulnerable isn’t ignorance—it’s trust. Generational values like politeness, helpfulness, and giving others the benefit of the doubt often work against them in the fast-paced, anonymous world of online communication.
Scammers know this. They bank on it.
Facebook is the perfect storm:
- Lots of personal info on display (birthdays, family connections, photos)
- Trust-based platform where people expect genuine interaction
- Private messages that let scammers operate without public scrutiny
The 5 Most Common Facebook Scams Seniors Face in 2025
1. The Impersonation Scam
You get a friend request from someone you thought you were already friends with—like your niece, church friend, or bridge club pal.
Red Flag: They say they “created a new account” and start asking personal questions or talking about a “grant” or “opportunity.”
Scammer Goal: Gain your trust so they can ask for money, steal personal info, or get you to click a malicious link.
2. The Romance Scam
This one’s painful. Someone “new” starts messaging. They’re charming, ask about your day, and seem to genuinely care. It builds slowly. Then comes a crisis—an emergency surgery, lost passport, a stranded situation. They need money.
Red Flag: They’re overly affectionate quickly. They avoid video calls. They always have an excuse for why you can’t meet.
Scammer Goal: Emotional manipulation that ends in financial fraud. Seniors are disproportionately affected here.
3. The Fake Prize or Sweepstakes Scam
A message arrives: “Congratulations! You’ve won $5,000 from Facebook!” Or even worse, it comes from someone you know who says they won and wants you to “claim your prize too.”
Red Flag: You’re asked to provide personal details or pay a “fee” or “tax” to receive winnings.
Scammer Goal: Trick you into giving up financial information or send money under false pretenses.
4. The “Help Me” Message
A friend or grandchild appears to be messaging you frantically. “I’m in trouble, Grandma. I need money. Please don’t tell Mom.” Sounds urgent. Feels real.
Red Flag: It’s out of character. Something feels rushed or secretive. They ask for gift cards or wire transfers.
Scammer Goal: Exploit your concern to get fast, no-questions-asked cash.
5. The Investment or Tech Support Scam
Someone offers you help: a free service, a “Facebook upgrade,” or even an investment opportunity promising great returns. Often, it starts in a group or in comments.
Red Flag: They pressure you to act fast. They ask for remote access to your device or suggest you install something.
Scammer Goal: Gain control of your account or device, steal banking credentials, or drain investment funds.
How to Spot a Fake Facebook Friend (Before It’s Too Late)
Here’s your internal red flag checklist.
If you spot one or more, proceed with caution:
- They just created the account (check profile creation date)
- They have very few photos or mutual friends
- They start the conversation with urgency or flattery
- They mention money, gift cards, or payments
- Their grammar feels “off” or robotic
- They avoid video chatting or phone calls
A good rule of thumb? If something feels weird—it probably is.
What to Do If You’re Targeted
Here’s exactly what to do if you think someone’s trying to scam you—or already has.
1. Don’t Engage Further
Don’t respond. Don’t argue. Don’t try to “catch” them. Just stop.
2. Report the Profile to Facebook
- Go to their profile
- Click the three dots (...)
- Select Find Support or Report Profile
- Follow the prompts
Facebook does act on these reports, especially when there are patterns.
3. Block the Account
This prevents them from messaging you again or seeing your profile.
4. Change Your Facebook Password
If you clicked any suspicious links, change your password immediately and log out of all devices.
5. Contact Your Bank (If You Shared Financial Info)
If you gave them account numbers, access, or sent money—call your bank right now. They may be able to stop or reverse the transaction. At Liberty Savings Bank, our team is trained to help with these situations—judgment-free.
How to Make Your Facebook Account Safer in 5 Minutes
You can do this right now—no tech skills required.
1. Lock Down Your Profile
Go to Settings → Privacy → “Who can see your friends list?” → Only Me
Also limit who can look you up by email or phone.
2. Turn on Two-Factor Authentication
This adds a layer of security beyond your password. Use your phone for added protection.
3. Review Your Active Sessions
Check where you’re logged in. If something looks suspicious, log out.
4. Be Skeptical of New Friend Requests
Even if they seem familiar, don’t accept unless you can confirm who they are.
5. Educate Yourself
The more you know, the harder you are to trick. Facebook’s Security Center and AARP’s Fraud Watch are great places to start.
Share This With Someone Who Needs It
Maybe it’s your mom. Or your neighbor. Or the couple from your church group.
You don’t need to be a tech wizard to help protect your community. Just share what you’ve learned. Talk about scams at coffee meetups, bridge night, or the next bank seminar. Forward this article. Ask your bank if they offer fraud prevention classes. (Spoiler alert: we do.)
The more we talk about these scams, the harder it gets for scammers to succeed.
Staying connected online is a beautiful thing. It brings families closer, shares stories across miles, and keeps us informed. But it comes with risks—and we all need to be ready.
You don’t have to leave Facebook. You just need to scroll smart.
If you ever have questions, our team at Liberty Savings Bank is always here to help. Whether it’s setting up fraud alerts, reviewing suspicious activity, or just explaining what to look for—we’ve got your back.
Stay sharp. Stay connected. And always ask:
Is this friend...or fake?
