Elder Financial Fraud & Scam Prevention
Call the Fifth Third Fraud Hotline (800-972-3030) or access protection tools in the mobile app on your SmartShield® Security dashboard.
What is Elder Fraud?
Elder fraud is the financial exploitation of older adults through deception, manipulation or abuse.
Elder financial abuse is rising rapidly as scammers increasingly target older adults through phone calls, emails, texts, social media and in‑person interactions.
Warning signs include unexplained withdrawals, missing funds or sudden changes to financial documents.
Common Elder Fraud & Exploitation Scams
Sweetheart (Romance) Scams
Sweetheart scams involve criminals building emotional relationships online or by phone, then requesting money, gifts or access to accounts. Requests for secrecy, urgency or financial help are key red flags.
Bank Imposter Scams
Bank imposter scams happen when fraudsters pretend to be from a trusted financial institution and ask for account details, passwords or one‑time passcodes. Fifth Third will never call you to request sensitive information this way.
Investment Scams
Investment scams promise guaranteed or low‑risk returns and pressure victims to act quickly. These scams often involve cryptocurrency, real estate or “exclusive” opportunities that sound too good to be true.
Sweepstakes & Lottery Scams
Sweepstakes scams claim you’ve won a prize but require payment of fees or taxes upfront. Legitimate lotteries do not require payment to receive winnings.
Tips to Protect Yourself From Elder Fraud & Scams
Use these proven practices to reduce your risk:
Verify the identity of anyone contacting you. If someone calls you unexpectedly, hang up and call the organization using a verified number from their official website or your account materials.
Never share Social Security numbers, account details, passwords or one-time passcodes by phone, text or email.
Secure financial documents and personal information, and regularly monitor bank statements, credit card bills and credit reports.
Keep antivirus and security software up to date.
Avoid clicking suspicious links and pop-ups. Only open attachments from trusted, verified senders.
SmartShield® Security1
SmartShield® Security provides complimentary, built‑in protection to help safeguard against elder fraud and scams with 24/7 monitoring, threat detection and live support.1
Upgrade to Fifth Third Identity Alert® for protection that includes dark web monitoring2, identity theft insurance3 and credit monitoring.4
Have You Been Targeted?
If you answer “Yes” to any of the questions below or believe you may be involved in a scam, contact our Customer Service team immediately.
- Were you contacted unexpectedly by phone, text, or email claiming to be a trusted source?
- Were you pressured to act quickly or keep the request secret?
- Have you noticed unusual transactions or received requests involving gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers?
- Does the offer seem too good to be true?
- Has anyone asked for money, account access or control of your assets?
- Are you being isolated, threatened or pressured to hide information from friends or family?
How to Report Elder Fraud or Suspicious Activity
Reporting elder fraud quickly helps stop further financial harm. Fifth Third offers multiple easy ways to report suspicious activity:
- Call : 800-972-3030 for account fraud or suspicious activity.
- Card issues: Follow prompts for disputes or lost/stolen cards (24/7).
- Email phishing: Forward suspicious messages to 53investigation@security.53.com.
- Mobile app: Report phishing from SmartShield® in the Fifth Third mobile app.
Fraud Prevention Resources
Learn more about protecting yourself and your loved ones:
Stay a Step Ahead of Fraud
Browse our full library of fraud protection articles, tips and expert insights designed to help you stay informed and vigilant.
How to Protect Your Aging Family Members
Senior financial abuse is on the rise. Learn how to spot financial fraud and scams against seniors, identify red flags, protect sensitive information and respond accordingly—for yourself or loved ones.
How to Recognize Phishing Scams
Cybercriminals target both individuals and businesses with the intent to steal sensitive information, money or even your identity. It’s important to stay vigilant in today’s digital world to protect yourself from phishing attempts.
Important Links
- National Elder Fraud Hotline : 833‑FRAUD‑11 (833‑372‑8311)
- FBI—Scams & Safety: FBI.gov
- National Center for Elder Abuse
- Fifth Thid partners with The Knoble to help combat financial crime