Senior Scams in Vancouver: Warning Signs & How to Protect Seniors

By the LivePeace 24/7 care team · Serving families across Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond and Surrey · Published November 3, 2026

If your mother has started hanging up on unknown callers, or your father mentions a “very nice person” he met online who needs help with a fee, you may be right to worry. Scammers target older adults on purpose, and in Metro Vancouver the numbers are moving in the wrong direction. This guide explains which scams are most common, the warning signs to watch for, how to protect your parent without taking away their independence, and exactly what to do if money has already been sent.

Why elder fraud is rising in BC

In March 2026, the BC Seniors Advocate released its “Monitoring Seniors Services 2025” report. It found that calls to the province’s seniors abuse and information line have climbed nearly 40% since 2019, and that financial fraud reports made to Vancouver police are up 65%. The Advocate also warned that many cases go unreported, so the real figures are likely higher.

Seniors are targeted for practical reasons: they are more likely to have savings or home equity, to be home during the day, and, for some, to be isolated. Embarrassment keeps many victims quiet, which is why scammers keep returning to the same playbook. Fraud is a crime committed by professionals. It is not a sign that your parent is foolish.

Common scams targeting seniors in Vancouver and BC

The details change, but the pattern does not. Someone creates a crisis or an opportunity, tells your parent to act now, and asks them to keep it private.

A useful rule, repeated by the RCMP: if you did not start the call, you do not know who you are talking to. Real banks, police, and government offices are comfortable being called back.

Warning signs your parent is being targeted

Scam victims often hide what is happening out of shame or because the scammer told them to. Watch for changes like these:

• New secrecy about phone calls, emails, or a new “friend” or “advisor”
• Unexplained withdrawals, e-transfers, gift card purchases, or crypto ATM receipts
• Stacks of prize, lottery, or charity mail, or frequent calls from unknown numbers
• Unpaid bills or a sudden shortage of money despite normal income
• Anxiety, agitation, or defensiveness after a call or a visitor
• Sudden requests to change a will, bank access, or power of attorney

Some of these signs can also point to memory changes. If you notice a pattern of confusion alongside money problems, read our guide on 10 signs your parent needs in-home care and consider how dementia and Alzheimer’s care at home can add a layer of daily support.

How to protect your parent from scams

The goal is to add safeguards while respecting your parent’s independence. People accept protection much more readily when it feels like teamwork.

1. Start the conversation without blame. Say “I read that scams are rising in Vancouver and want to set up a few safeguards together,” not “you could get fooled.”
2. Agree on a family code word. Anyone claiming to be a relative in trouble must say it. If they cannot, hang up and call back.
3. Talk to the bank. Ask about transaction alerts, lower daily e-transfer limits, and whether a trusted contact person can be added to the account.
4. Screen calls. Let unknown numbers go to voicemail, turn on your carrier’s call-blocking, and register on the National Do Not Call List. It will not stop criminals, but it cuts the volume of legitimate telemarketing so the odd calls stand out.
5. Review mail and statements together monthly. Make it a routine, such as tea on the first Sunday, not an audit.
6. Put legal planning in place early. An enduring power of attorney and a representation agreement let a trusted person step in if your parent can no longer manage. A BC lawyer or notary can explain the options.
7. Keep your parent connected. Loneliness is what scammers exploit. Regular visits, calls, and outings are some of the best protection there is.

Our guide on remote monitoring technology for seniors covers tools that can add safety at home, and caring for aging parents in Vancouver explains how to share the load as a family.

What to do if your parent already sent money

1. Stop all contact with the scammer and do not send more money, even if threatened.
2. Call the bank or payment provider right away to freeze the account or card, and ask whether a transfer can be reversed.
3. Report to your local police using the non-emergency line, and keep screenshots, receipts, phone numbers, and messages.
4. Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. You can report even if no money was lost.
5. Change passwords and consider placing fraud alerts with Equifax and TransUnion.
6. Get emotional support. Seniors First BC’s Seniors Abuse and Information Line (1-866-437-1940, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm, excluding statutory holidays) offers confidential guidance.

How home care helps protect seniors from fraud

A caregiver is not a financial advisor or a replacement for family oversight. What a consistent caregiver does provide is presence, and presence is protective:

• Fewer lonely hours. Companion care gives your parent real conversation, which makes a fake “friend” online less appealing.
• A second set of eyes. A familiar caregiver can notice repeated unknown callers, unusual mail, or a parent who seems upset after a call, and pass that on to you.
• Safer errands. With errand and escort services, your parent is accompanied to the bank, pharmacy, and appointments.
• Steadier routines. For seniors with memory loss, a matched caregiver who knows their routine helps spot changes early.

When you start care, agree on who the caregiver should contact if something seems wrong. LivePeace offers flat-rate home care across Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond and Surrey, and you can see current rates on our pricing page. If you are still comparing providers, our checklist for choosing a home care agency and 10 questions to ask a care provider can help.

Frequently asked questions