Scams Across Generations (1 of 2)

By: Harmoni Brennan

In Hawaii, we honor and care for our kūpuna – they hold our history, our stories, and the spirit of aloha that guides our communities. But today, many kūpuna across the islands are being targeted by scammers who take advantage of loneliness, cognitive changes, financial stress, and the trusting nature of local families. With Hawaii’s high cost of living and one of the longest life expectancies in the nation, scammers see our communities as prime targets.

Across the country, nearly 73% of adults have experienced some type of online scam, adding up to more than $16.6 billion in financial losses. While these numbers are alarming, there are simple steps we can all take – as individuals, families, and communities –  to protect the people we care about.

Many still assume that scammers only target older adults. It’s true that kūpuna 60 and older tend to lose the most money. But surprisingly, adults ages 18–29 report being scammed more often than any other age group. Scammers don’t discriminate – they simply adjust their tactics for each generation.

Our kūpuna are often targeted because scammers see opportunities around healthcare, retirement savings, and trust in authority. Younger adults and teens are approached through online shopping, social media, and digital lifestyles. Every generation in Hawaii –from grandparents to keiki – is now affected.

Common Scams Targeting Hawaii Older Adults

• Grandparent Scams: Someone pretends to be a grandchild in trouble, asking for emergency money – and begging kūpuna not to tell anyone. Urgency and secrecy are their biggest tools.
• Financial Services Scams: Fake “banks,” “mortgage companies,” or “collections” threaten legal action or claim an account problem. They pressure kūpuna to act fast.
• Romance Scams: Criminals use dating sites and social media to build trust, then ask for money for medical bills, travel, or emergencies. AI-generated photos and voices make these scams even harder to detect now.
• Government Impersonation Scams: Scammers pose as IRS, Social Security, or Medicare representatives, using fear or promises of benefits to steal information or money.
• Medicare Scams: Fraudsters may bill for services never provided or steal Medicare numbers to submit claims under the kūpuna’s name. Some even show up at homes offering fake hospice enrollment in exchange for Medicare information or Medicare number.   https://www.medicare.gov/

These scams harm not only individuals – they affect entire families, especially in Hawaii where many households are multigenerational. Protecting kūpuna is protecting everyone in the home.

This is the first part of our “Scams Across Generations” blog series. Over the next week, we’ll share how scams impact adults and teenagers, and how we can work together to keep Hawaii safe.

If you’re interested in joining SMP Hawaii as a volunteer to help protect people of all ages from Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse, we welcome you with aloha.

Visit: https://www.smphawaii.org/
Call Toll Free: 1‑800‑296‑9422
Email: info@smphawaii.org

Help SMP Hawaii “Swat Those Scams!”