If you live in Portage County and you’re 65 or older, there’s a good chance someone has already tried to scam you. Maybe it was a call from “the IRS.” Maybe a pop-up on your computer screaming about a virus. Maybe something worse.
You’re not alone — and it’s not your fault.
I’m Bill Davis. I live in Atwater, Ohio, and I run Bill’s Home Tech, a local tech support service for seniors and families in Portage County. I also care for my 90-year-old mother, Joanne. Every week, I see how these scams affect people I care about — and I want to help you protect yourself.
Here are the five biggest tech scams targeting seniors in our area right now, and exactly what to do about them.
Why Scammers Target Seniors
Before we get to the scams, it helps to understand why this keeps happening.
Scammers target seniors for four specific reasons:
- You built wealth over your lifetime. Savings, retirement accounts, home equity — you’re a bigger target than a 25-year-old with student loans.
- You grew up in an era of trust. When the phone rang, you answered it. Scammers exploit that.
- Technology can feel unfamiliar. Emails look official. Websites look real. Phone numbers look local. It’s designed to fool you.
- You’re polite. You don’t want to hang up. You give people the benefit of the doubt. Scammers count on that.
This isn’t a character flaw. Scammers are professionals with scripts and teams. They do this all day long. But you can protect yourself — and that starts with knowing what to look for.
The 5 Biggest Scams in Portage County Right Now
1. The IRS Impersonation Call
You get a phone call: “This is the IRS. You owe back taxes. Pay immediately or we’ll arrest you.”
Red flags: - The IRS never calls you first — they always send a letter - They never threaten arrest over the phone - They never ask for payment via gift cards or wire transfer
What to do: Hang up. If you’re worried about your tax situation, look up the IRS number yourself (1-800-829-1040) and call them directly. Never use a number the caller gives you.
2. The Grandchild Emergency
You get a call: “Grandma, it’s me. I’m in jail/the hospital. I need money wired right now. Please don’t tell Mom and Dad.”
Red flags: - Urgency (“right now”) - Secrecy (“don’t tell anyone”) - Payment via wire transfer or gift cards
What to do: Ask a question only your real grandchild would know — their pet’s name, their school, something personal. Then hang up and call their parents to verify. The real grandchild will understand. The scammer will hang up.
3. The Tech Support Pop-Up
You’re browsing the web and suddenly a warning fills your screen: “VIRUS DETECTED! Call 1-800-XXX-XXXX IMMEDIATELY or your computer will be disabled!”
Red flags: - Microsoft, Apple, and Google do not send pop-up warnings like this - They never ask you to call a phone number - They never request remote access to your computer this way
What to do: Close your browser. If your computer is frozen, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete. Restart. If you’re still not sure whether something’s wrong, call a real local tech person — like me — at (330) 200-8042. I’ll check it for you.
4. The Medicare / Health Insurance Call
You get a call: “This is Medicare. We need to verify your information. Can you confirm your Social Security number and Medicare number?”
Red flags: - Medicare does not call to verify your information - They never ask for your SSN over the phone - Open enrollment has specific dates — not random calls
What to do: Hang up. If you’re genuinely concerned about your Medicare coverage, call them yourself at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
5. The Romance / Loan Scam
You meet someone online — Facebook, a dating site, anywhere. You exchange messages for weeks. They say they love you. Then: “I need money for a plane ticket / medical bill / visa. I’ll pay you back.”
Red flags: - You’ve never met in person - They’re asking for money - There’s always a story (always)
What to do: Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person. If you’re suspicious, reverse image search their profile photo (right-click the photo in Google → “Search image”). It’s often stolen from someone else. Talk to a trusted family member or friend before doing anything.
5 Simple Ways to Protect Yourself Starting Today
You don’t need to be a tech expert to protect yourself. These five steps make a real difference:
1. Register your phone number. Go to donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222. It doesn’t stop all calls, but it reduces them.
2. Use call blocking. Your smartphone has built-in call blocking. Your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) also offers free scam screening. I can help you set this up in about 10 minutes.
3. Verify before you trust. If someone calls claiming to be your bank, the IRS, or Medicare — hang up. Look up the real number yourself. Call them back. Never trust the number the caller gives you.
4. Talk to someone before sending money. Before you send money, give personal info, or make any financial decision — tell a family member or trusted friend. Scammers hate this. They want you isolated and panicked.
5. Freeze your credit. This is free and prevents new accounts from being opened in your name. Do it at all three bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. I can walk you through it step by step.
Already Got Scammed?
It happens to smart people every day. Here’s what to do:
- Contact your bank immediately if money was transferred
- Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov — your report helps protect others
- Call me at (330) 200-8042 — I can check your devices for malware and help you lock things down going forward
I’m Here to Help
I’m Bill Davis, and I run Bill’s Home Tech right here in Atwater, Ohio. I help seniors in Ravenna, Kent, Streetsboro, Atwater, and across Portage County get their technology working safely and simply.
I also give free 20-minute talks at senior centers on this exact topic. If your senior center in Portage County would like me to come speak, I’d love to do it.
📞 (330) 200-8042
📧 bill@billshometech.com
🌐 billshometech.com
In-home visits: $99 flat rate. 30-day follow-up included. No contracts.
Tech Made Simple — Service Made Personal