Summer in Philadelphia brings warm weather, community events, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, it’s also a peak season for scams targeting seniors. Criminals know that older adults can be more vulnerable to certain types of fraud, and they take advantage of busy summer months to strike. At BroadZero, we care about protecting your health, your Medicare benefits, and your financial security. That’s why we want to help you recognize and avoid the most common summer scams aimed at seniors.

Common Summer Scams That Target Seniors

1. Home Repair Scams

Warm weather often means home improvement projects—but also shady contractors offering “too good to be true” deals. Scammers may knock on your door, claim they have leftover materials from another job, and pressure you into paying upfront.

Tip: Always check a contractor’s license, get estimates in writing, and never pay in full before work begins.

2. Medicare & Health Insurance Scams

Some scammers pretend to be from Medicare or your insurance provider, offering “free” medical devices or services in exchange for your Medicare number. Once they have it, they can commit fraud and bill Medicare for services you never received.

Tip: Medicare will never call you unsolicited to ask for personal information. If you get a suspicious call, hang up and contact BroadZero or Medicare directly.

3. Festival & Event Ticket Scams

Philadelphia hosts plenty of summer festivals, concerts, and fairs. Scammers may sell fake tickets online or in person.

Tip: Always buy from official vendors or verified ticket sellers.

4. Charity Scams After Natural Disasters

If there’s a summer storm or heatwave, scammers may claim they’re raising money for victims. While some causes are legitimate, others are completely fake.

Tip: Research charities before donating and give directly through their official website.

How to Protect Yourself This Summer

• Guard Your Personal Information: Never share your Medicare, Social Security, or bank account numbers unless you’ve verified the request.
• Verify Before You Pay: Whether it’s a contractor, ticket seller, or charity, double-check their legitimacy.
• Be Cautious with Phone Calls: Let unknown numbers go to voicemail, and remember that government agencies rarely call without prior notice.
• Use Secure Payment Methods: Avoid paying with cash or wire transfers, which are hard to trace and recover.
• Report Suspicious Activity: Contact local police, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or Medicare if you think you’ve been targeted.

The Role of BroadZero in Scam Prevention

As Philadelphia’s trusted Medicare experts, BroadZero helps seniors understand their benefits and protect themselves from fraudulent activity. We educate our clients about the latest scams, review suspicious offers, and ensure you have safe, reliable healthcare coverage.

This summer, don’t let scammers ruin your plans. With the right information and a trusted partner like BroadZero, you can stay safe, secure, and focused on enjoying everything Philadelphia has to offer.