Scammed at 60 or Older? Call the Free Line 833-372-8311
If you or someone you know is 60 or older and has been scammed, you can call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311), Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time. It is a free resource created by the U.S. Department of Justice, available in English, Spanish and other languages.
The hotline assigns each caller a case manager who walks you through reporting to federal, state and local agencies. This article follows the Justice Department Office for Victims of Crime hotline page: what the hotline does, and how to handle scam calls that pretend to be the hotline.
What the hotline does
The Office for Victims of Crime explains (OVC National Elder Fraud Hotline):
- Phone and hours: 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311), Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time.
- Languages: English, Spanish and other languages.
- Who it serves: people 60 or older who have been scammed; the person or someone they know can call.
- Free: a free resource created by the Justice Department, with personalized service at no cost to you.
- Case managers: each caller gets one case manager as a steady point of contact, who helps you report to federal, state and local agencies and connects you with other resources case by case.
- Trained staff: the hotline is staffed by professionals trained to support fraud victims, and it aims to connect you to a live person as soon as possible.
Why report
- Helping law enforcement: reporting can help authorities try to stop those who commit fraud, and can also help prevent others from becoming victims.
- Why some don’t report: the page says some victims don’t report because they feel scared or embarrassed, or don’t know whom to contact.
If someone pretends to be the hotline
- Impostors: some scammers claim to be staff of the National Elder Fraud Hotline.
- Threats of a lawsuit: they may say the caller is filing a suit against you.
- Don’t give personal information or money: don’t give them personal information such as your Social Security number, and don’t give money in response to these false claims.
- Report to the FTC, then call the hotline: if you get one of these scam calls, emails or messages, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), then call 833-372-8311 so the hotline can track how often the scam happens.
For spotting calls that pretend to be USCIS or the IRS, see USCIS or the IRS Won't Call for Gift Card Payment; for signing up for the Do Not Call list, see Do Not Call Registry, Free to Join and Never Expires; for blocking unwanted calls on your phone, see Block Robocalls With an App, Do Not Call Won't Stop Scams.
What this article doesn’t cover
- What to have ready before you call: the page doesn’t say, so this article doesn’t either.
- Whether Chinese is available: the page only says other languages are available and doesn’t list them, so this article doesn’t say whether Chinese is offered.
- Immigration status: the page doesn’t mention immigration status, so this article doesn’t either and draws no conclusions.
- Common scams: the hotline has a separate page on common scams and warning signs, which this article didn’t review.
FAQ
Does calling cost anything?
No. The page says it is a free resource created by the Justice Department, with personalized service at no cost to you.
Can I call on the weekend?
The page lists hours of Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time.
My parents were the ones scammed. Can I call for them?
The page says help is available if you or someone you know has been a victim of elder fraud.
Someone claiming to be the hotline wants my Social Security number. What should I do?
Don’t give it, and don’t give money. The page says to report it to the FTC, then call 833-372-8311 to tell the hotline.
Sources and date checked
All checked on 2026-11-01.
- U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime, National Elder Fraud Hotline (page undated):https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope