Scammers posing as officials or family members are targeting older adults across Lyon County using tactics aimed at stealing money and personal information.

In a recent Facebook post, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office shared a warning about a rise in identity theft and phone scams affecting the region, particularly targeting the senior population.

The office reported that multiple agencies have issued similar alerts, urging communities to stay informed about tactics scammers are using.

According to the post, “The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office is providing the following information to educate our community on the possible phone scams they may encounter.”

The scams range from impersonating law enforcement or government agencies to posing as family members in distress.

Several schemes specifically focus on seniors, who are often more trusting, may not be tech-savvy, and sometimes fear reporting fraud due to concerns about independence or judgment.

The FBI’s latest Internet Crime Report shows Americans over the age of 60 lost $1.7 billion to fraud last year, the highest reported loss among all age groups. “Lyon County is no exception to this rule; our senior community is constantly targeted by scammers and fraudsters,”  the sheriff’s office stated.

The post outlines several types of scams currently seen in Lyon County:

  • The grandparent scam: Callers pretend to be police or a grandchild in trouble, requesting money or wire transfers using personal details gathered online.
  • Government imposter scams:  Scammers claim to be from the IRS, SSA, or other government agencies, using caller ID spoofing and known personal data to gain trust.
  • Elder financial abuse:  Individuals close to the victim, such as family or caregivers, may seek unauthorized access to assets or use threats to obtain money.
  • Tech support scams:  Callers pretend to represent well-known tech companies and trick victims into giving remote access or downloading malware disguised as security software.
  • Sweepstakes scams:  Victims are told they’ve won a prize and must pay fees or taxes to claim it. These scams often continue over time with repeated payment requests.

The sheriff’s office also shared prevention tips using the acronym STOP, LEAVE, ASK, WAIT, ACT to help seniors recognize suspicious behavior, delay responses, verify sources, and take protective steps.

The post added, “Nearly all scam calls and fraudsters originate outside of the United States, making tracking them and prosecuting them nearly impossible.”

To support fraud prevention efforts, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office have been offering presentations at local senior centers and church groups. “We are always looking to present this information and protect the seniors of this community from the lowest element of society that targets them and their hard-earned money,”  Sheriff Brad Pope stated.

The post says that any groups interested in scheduling a fraud prevention presentation can contact the sheriff’s office through Facebook Messenger. 

(The Lyon County Sheriff's Office contributed to this story.)