give IT. get IT. | A Resource for Our Community
Online scams are not just a tech problem. They are one of the fastest-growing threats to everyday people, and older adults are among the most targeted. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), Americans reported losing $16.6 billion to online fraud in 2024 alone. That number has quadrupled in just four years.
The good news? Knowledge is your best protection. Here is what you need to know, including what Maine banks are already doing to help.
Maine Is Paying Attention
Banks right here in Maine are on the front lines of this fight. According to a 2026 press release from the Maine Bankers Association, Maine banks stopped more than $46 million in fraud attempts against customers in 2025 alone. Bank tellers have become first-line defenders, trained to spot suspicious withdrawals, flag unusual cashier’s check requests, and check in with customers who may be acting under pressure.
“Banks operating in Maine know their customers,” said Maine Bankers Association President Jim Roche. “In our increasingly digital world, face-to-face relationships where bankers are familiar with their customers are becoming increasingly important in the fight against fraud.”
Maine lawmakers are stepping up too. A bill called LD 1445, supported by both the Maine Bankers Association and AARP Maine, would allow banks and credit unions to delay transactions for customers 65 and older if financial exploitation is suspected, and to notify a trusted contact on the customer’s behalf. It received unanimous initial approval in the Maine Senate.
If something feels off at the bank window, your teller may already be watching out for you.
Let them help.
The Top 5 Scams Targeting Adults Right Now
Someone calls, texts, or emails pretending to be the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or even your bank. They say there is a problem with your account or that you owe money and must pay immediately. Real government agencies will never call you out of the blue demanding payment, especially by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Hang up and call the agency directly using a number from their official website.
You receive a cashier’s check in the mail, often tied to a lottery prize, a job offer, or an online sale. You are asked to deposit it and send some money back to cover fees or taxes. The check looks completely real. Your bank may even cash it. But a few days later it bounces, and you are responsible for the full amount. The Maine Attorney General’s office has flagged this as one of the top scams in the state. Rule of thumb: if someone sends you a check and asks for money back, it is a scam.
A pop-up appears on your computer warning that your device has been hacked. A phone number appears. You call it, and someone convinces you to give them remote access to your computer, or to withdraw cash and hand it to a courier. The FBI’s IC3 has specifically warned about this scam targeting older adults. No legitimate tech company or government agency will ever ask you to hand cash to a stranger at your door.
A stranger reaches out online, often through social media or a dating app. They are charming, attentive, and interested. Over weeks or months they build a relationship, and then there is a crisis: medical bills, a stuck shipment, a plane ticket to come see you. They ask for money. These scams are emotionally devastating and financially ruinous. The FTC received 3 million fraud reports in 2025, and romance scams ranked among the costliest. If an online relationship moves quickly and money comes up, stop and tell someone you trust.
You get an email or text that looks like it is from Amazon, your bank, FedEx, or even a family member. There is a link to click or an attachment to open. These messages are designed to steal your login credentials or install software on your device. Before clicking anything, look closely at the sender’s email address. When in doubt, go directly to the company’s website by typing the address yourself, and never enter your password after clicking a link in an email.
Simple Steps to Stay Safe
You are not alone, and you are not at fault. These scams fool smart, careful people every day. The best thing you can do is talk about it.
Resources
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov
Maine Attorney General Consumer Protection: maine.gov/ag/consumer
Maine Bankers Association Senior Safe Program: mainebankers.com
Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11
Identity Theft Resource: identitytheft.gov
