Holiday Scams Targeting Seniors: What to Watch Out For and How C & K Protects You

Because the holidays should be filled with joy—not worry.

A Season of Joy—And a Season of Scams

The holiday season brings family, celebration, and togetherness…
But unfortunately, it also brings a sharp rise in scams targeting seniors.

Each year, thousands of older adults fall victim to fraudulent calls, fake Medicare offers, gift card scams, phishing emails, and “holiday benefit” tricks designed to steal their money or personal information.

At C & K Healthcare Advisors, we believe seniors deserve protection, peace of mind, and trusted guidance—especially during the holidays. Our mission has always been to educate families, protect their personal information, and help seniors make confident decisions without fear of being taken advantage of.

Let’s explore the most common holiday scams—and how to avoid them.

1. The “Medicare Holiday Benefit” Scam

Fraudsters often call seniors claiming they qualify for new holiday benefits, such as:

• Free grocery cards

• Holiday spending accounts

• Surprise dental credits

• “Limited-time” Medicare upgrades

These offers sound festive and harmless—but they’re not real.

Warning signs:

• Caller asks for Medicare ID number

• Claims of “holiday-only benefits”

• High-pressure language: “Act now before it expires!”

• Caller ID spoofed to look like Medicare

Medicare never offers seasonal benefits.
And they never cold-call to ask for personal information.

C & K advisors teach seniors exactly how to identify these scams—before any damage is done.

2. Gift Card & Payment Scams

Scammers frequently contact seniors pretending to be:

• Utility companies

• Grandchildren or family members

• Online retailers

• Charities

• Government agencies

They request payment via:

• Gift cards

• Bank transfers

• Peer-to-peer apps

• Cryptocurrency

These payment methods are untraceable—making them perfect for scammers.

Rule of thumb:
No legitimate company or agency will ever ask for gift card payment.

3. Fake Charity Scams

The holidays inspire generosity, and scammers know it. They create fake:

• GoFundMe campaigns

• Holiday toy drives

• Disaster relief funds

• Veterans’ organizations

• Religious charity pages

They often use heart-tugging stories and stolen images.

C & K reminds families:
Always verify the charity through CharityNavigator.org or Give.org before donating.

4. “Package Delivery” Scams

Seniors receive a text or email saying:

“Your package is delayed—click here to confirm your address.”

The link leads to:

• Malware

• Identity theft

• Fake payment pages

These messages appear to come from USPS, UPS, or FedEx—but they’re fraudulent.

If you weren’t expecting a package, delete it.
If you were, check the official website directly—never through a link sent by text.

5. Romance & Online Friendship Scams

The holidays can be lonely for many seniors. Scammers exploit this by forming online “connections,” then requesting:

• Money

• Gift cards

• Travel funds

• “Emergency expenses”

These scams are emotionally devastating—and highly common between November and February.

C & K encourages families to regularly check in with their loved ones and remind them:
If someone online asks for money, it’s a red flag.

6. How C & K Healthcare Advisors Protects Seniors All Year Long

C & K takes senior protection personally.
Our team has built a reputation for education-first service, helping seniors and their families feel confident, informed, and safe.

Here’s how we support families:

✔ Scam Awareness Education

We help seniors identify fake Medicare calls, misleading advertisements, and fraudulent offers—before they become victims.

✔ Trusted Advisors (We Never Cold Call)

C & K only engages with clients who reach out first, ensuring seniors are never pressured or confused by sales tactics.

✔ Secure Plan Reviews

We review Medicare and insurance plans directly with families, protecting personal information and ensuring seniors choose legitimate coverage.

✔ Family-Centered Support

We encourage adult children and caregivers to join appointments, so everyone stays informed and protected.

✔ Holiday & Seasonal Alerts

We remind our clients each year about the scams trending during the holidays, tax season, and open enrollment.

7. Seniors Deserve Joy—Not Fear—During the Holidays

Scams steal more than money—they steal peace of mind.

C & K Healthcare Advisors believes in restoring that peace by giving seniors:

• Confidence in their decisions

• Protection from fraud

• Education and resources

• Advisors they can trust

• A family-like support system

When seniors feel safe, they feel empowered—and that is the true heart of the holidays.

Let C & K Be Your Family’s Safety Net This Holiday Season

The holidays should be filled with warmth, family, and love—not anxiety over scams and fraud.

C & K Healthcare Advisors is here to walk beside your family with:

✔ real protection
✔ real education
✔ real compassion
✔ real support

If you or a loved one wants help navigating Medicare, avoiding scams, or reviewing coverage, our team is here to support you—today and all year long.

👉 Reach out for a friendly, no-pressure conversation with a trusted C & K advisor.