The holidays should be a time of joy, but they’re also a peak season for scams targeting older adults. At FirstLantic, your safety and well-being are always our priority. Here are the top fraud risks to watch out for—and fraud prevention tips on how to stay protected.

Common Holiday Scams

1. Fake Charity Requests

Scammers use the season of giving to solicit fake donations.
Stay safe: Donate only through verified charity websites and avoid sharing financial info over the phone.

2. Gift Card Scams

Fraudsters may pretend to be a family member or official requesting urgent payment by gift card.
Remember: No legitimate organization accepts gift cards as payment.

3. Package Delivery Texts & Emails

Fake tracking links are common during peak shipping season.
Tip: Go directly to the carrier’s official website to check the status of any shipment.

4. Online Shopping Scams

Fake websites offer deals that seem too good to be true.
Tip: Stick to trusted retailers and look for “https” in the URL.

5. “Grandparent” Emergency Scams

A caller claims to be a relative in trouble and begs for fast help.
Tip: Hang up and contact your family member directly to confirm.

FirstLantic’s Safety Tips for Seniors

  • Never share personal or banking information with unknown callers or emails

  • Use strong passwords and update device security

  • Enable fraud alerts with your bank or credit card

  • Slow down before responding—scammers rely on creating urgency

  • Talk with a trusted family member if something seems suspicious

Keeping Seniors Safe Is What We Do

At FirstLantic, we are committed to helping seniors live safely and confidently at home. A little awareness goes a long way in preventing fraud—so you can focus on enjoying the holidays with those you love.

If you or someone you know is interested in care management or home healthcare services in South Florida, FirstLantic can help. We are locally owned and operated, providing our patients with the highest quality in-home care services in Fort Lauderdale (Broward County), as well as in-home care services in Delray Beach (Palm Beach County), North Miami (Miami-Dade) and Jupiter (Treasure Coast) since 2000. Click here to contact us.