What are the most common scams targeting seniors right now?

Phone-based vishing and fake tech-support calls, romance scams, phishing texts and emails, SIM-swapping, fake Wi-Fi "evil twin" networks, check washing, and title or deed fraud by mail are among the most commonly reported.

How can I tell if a phone call is a scam?

A legitimate agency or business will never demand immediate payment by gift card or wire transfer, ask you to stay on the line while you go to the bank, or ask you to confirm your full Social Security number over the phone. Hang up and call the organization back on a number you look up yourself.

What is vishing, and how is it different from regular phishing?

Vishing is phishing carried out by voice call rather than email or text. A caller impersonates a bank, government agency or tech company to pressure you into revealing personal information or moving money quickly.

How do I protect against identity theft and SIM-swapping?

Freeze your credit with the three major bureaus, set up a PIN or passcode with your mobile carrier so a SIM cannot be transferred without it, and watch for your phone suddenly losing signal — that can be the first sign of a SIM swap in progress.

What should I do if I think I've been scammed?

Contact your bank or card issuer immediately, file a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov and with local police, and change any passwords that may have been exposed. Acting quickly gives you the best chance of stopping or reversing a transaction.

Does Fred Flamer speak publicly about senior scam prevention?

Yes — Fred gives talks on senior cybersecurity and fraud prevention for community groups, libraries and senior centers. Reach out through the contact links on this site to inquire about a speaking engagement.

Lottery Ticket Fraud (Point of Sale)

Lottery Ticket Fraud (Point of Sale) Awareness

Fred Flamer· August 31, 2026· 3 min read

Lottery Ticket Fraud (Point of Sale)

By Fred Flamer

Think lottery ticket scams aren't a thing? Think again.

"Lottery Ticket" scams at the point of sale are occurring far more frequently than many people realize. Surprisingly, the offender isn't always another customer—it is often the store clerk behind the counter.

One common scam works like this: You hand the clerk your ticket to be scanned. The scanner immediately indicates that your ticket is a substantial winner. Instead of telling you the truth, the clerk casually informs you that your ticket is either a loser or only worth a few dollars.

Once you leave the store disappointed, the clerk simply pockets the winning ticket and cashes it in later, or hands it off to an accomplice to avoid suspicion.

Another variation is nothing short of a magic trick.

Some dishonest clerks keep a stack of previously scanned losing tickets hidden near the register. When you hand them your ticket, they scan it and discover it's a winner. Then, with a move worthy of a street magician performing the old "three-card monte," they secretly swap your winning ticket for one of the pre-scanned losing tickets before handing it back.

"Sorry...better luck next time."

And just like that, your winning ticket is gone.

There is another scam that, believe it or not, still works today.

A scammer hangs around outside a lottery retailer carrying what appears to be a legitimate winning lottery ticket. They patiently wait for someone who looks approachable, then strike up a conversation.

The story usually goes something like this:

"If I claim this ticket, the IRS will take all the money."

Or...

"I owe thousands in back child support."

They'll offer to "sell" you the winning ticket for a fraction of its value, making it sound like the opportunity of a lifetime.

Of course, once they have your money, they disappear...and you're left holding a worthless ticket.

I honestly don't know how this scam still works, but it does. A convincing story, a realistic-looking ticket, and someone with the gift of gab can still find the right person to exploit.

With inflation, economic uncertainty, and a challenging job market, I believe scams like these will only become more common.

Personally, I don't play the lottery very often. I might throw a few dollars at it when the jackpots reach astronomical levels, but that's about it. However, if you happen to beat those incredible odds and hold a winning ticket, you've earned every penny of that prize. Don't let someone steal it from you.

Ways to Protect Yourself from Lottery Ticket Fraud

Sign the back of your ticket immediately using blue or black ink. This helps establish ownership if the ticket is ever lost or stolen.
Check your own numbers before approaching the counter. Many lottery retailers have self-service ticket scanners, and official lottery websites and mobile apps allow you to verify tickets yourself.
Always request the validation slip and your customer receipt after your ticket is scanned.
If your ticket is confirmed to be a loser, tear it up or otherwise deface it before throwing it away. Believe it or not, scammers have been known to dig through trash looking for discarded tickets they can alter or use in fraudulent schemes.
If you've won a substantial prize, consider claiming it yourself at an official lottery claim center instead of cashing it at a retail location.
Never buy a "winning ticket" from a stranger. If someone claims they can't cash it because of taxes, child support, or any other excuse, walk away. Legitimate winners don't sell winning lottery tickets in parking lots.

Remember: Winning the lottery is already incredibly difficult. Don't let the biggest obstacle between you and your prize be the person standing on the other side of the counter.

-Fin-

#SeniorSecured #LotteryTicketFraud #LotteryScamAwareness #FraudPrevention #ThinkBeforeYouPay

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