Scammers target seniors every day. Florida has many seniors. So Florida is a top target.
This page lists common scam types. It does not name any specific business or person.
The Golden Rules
- Hang up. You do not owe a stranger on the phone your time or your information.
- Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. No real business or government agency asks for these.
- Do not share your Social Security number, bank info, or Medicare number with callers.
- Talk to someone you trust before you send money or sign anything.
- Real deals can wait. "Act now or else" is always a lie.
Fake Insurance Agents
Someone calls or knocks, selling insurance. They sound professional. They pressure you to sign today.
How to check: Every real Florida insurance agent has a license number. Mine is G231352 — it is on every page of this site. Ask for theirs. Then verify it at the Florida Department of Financial Services. If they will not give you a number, or the number does not check out, walk away.
Red flags: No license number. Cash only. "This price is only good today." Paperwork you cannot take home to read.
Fake Medicare Calls
"We are calling about your new Medicare card." "Your coverage will be cancelled." "We need your bank info to keep your benefits."
The truth:
- Medicare does not call to sell things
- Medicare does not threaten you by phone
- Medicare does not ask for bank info by phone
Hang up.
If you have a real Medicare question, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) yourself. Or call Florida SHINE for free, unbiased help: 1-800-963-5337.
Annuity and Investment Scams
A stranger promises "sure thing" high returns. A free dinner comes with a hard sales pitch. Someone says your money is "safe" but cannot explain how.
How to check: Ask for their license number. Insurance agents: verify at the Florida Department of Financial Services. Anyone selling securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds): verify at FINRA BrokerCheck. Anyone who promises sure-thing stock market returns is not telling the truth.
Red flags: "Sure thing" returns above 5-6%. Pressure to decide at the seminar. Told not to tell family. Complex products you do not understand.
The Grandparent Scam
You get a call: "Grandma, it is me. I am in trouble. I need money wired right now. Please do not tell Mom and Dad."
It is not your grandchild. It is a scammer — sometimes using AI to copy a voice. Hang up. Call your family on a number you already know. Ask them directly.
Romance Scams
Someone you met online — dating site, Facebook, anywhere — falls for you fast. Then they need money. A medical emergency. A plane ticket. A business problem. The requests never stop.
The rule: Never send money to someone you have not met in person. No exceptions. If they get angry when you say no, that tells you everything.
Fake Government Calls
"This is the IRS. You owe back taxes. Pay now or the police are coming." "This is Social Security. Your number is suspended."
The truth: The IRS does not call to demand payment. Social Security does not suspend your number by phone. Hang up. If you are worried, call the agency yourself using a number from their official website.
Tech Support Scams
A pop-up says your computer has a virus. A caller says they are from Microsoft. They want remote access to "fix" it — then demand payment.
The truth: Microsoft, Apple, and Google do not call you about viruses. Close the pop-up. Restart your computer. If you gave them access, call a trusted local computer shop — not the number on the pop-up.
What To Do If You Were Scammed
- Stop all contact. Do not answer their calls. Do not send more money.
- Call your bank if you shared account info or sent money. Ask about reversing the transaction.
- Report it:
- FTC:reportfraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357
- FBI Internet Crime (IC3):ic3.gov
- Florida Fraud Hotline:1-866-966-7226
- Florida Insurance Fraud:1-800-378-0445
- Tell someone. Shame keeps scams alive. Tell your family. Tell a friend. You are not the first, and you will not be the last.
A Personal Note
I am Serge Sendji Augustin.
I am a licensed Florida insurance agent. My license is FL G231352.
I have helped many seniors avoid bad deals. I never charge for this.
If a call, letter, or visitor does not feel right, call me at (407) 434-9297. I will tell you straight whether it is real. No sales pitch. That is a promise.
Sources: FTC, FBI, Florida DFS. For education only. Updated October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I already sent money to a scammer?
Stop all contact immediately. Call your bank to try to reverse the payment. Then report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the Florida Fraud Hotline at 1-866-966-7226.
How do I check if an insurance agent is real?
Ask for their Florida license number, then verify it at myfloridacfo.com (Florida Department of Financial Services). A real agent will give you the number without hesitation.
Will Medicare ever call me?
Medicare does not call to sell you anything or threaten your coverage. If someone calls claiming to be Medicare and asks for personal or bank information, hang up.