FBI investigators believe more than $50,000 has been taken from Western Pennsylvania residents falling for grandparent scams.

Criminals executing the scam often pose as younger family members in immediate financial need, according to the FBI. The criminals often use the internet and social media to obtain personal information about their targets to lure them into a false sense of confidence.

The FBI said seniors are common targets of scams because they tend to be trusting, polite and in good financial standing. They’re also less likely to report fraud because they often don’t know how or are ashamed of being scammed, the FBI said.

To avoid these scams, the FBI recommends seniors resist the pressure to act immediately, hang up and call the relative immediately to verify their identity, avoid giving money or valuables to strangers, and talk with family about scams.

Seniors are scammed out of more than $3 billion each year, according to the 2023 FBI Elder Fraud Report. Potential victims of scams should visit ic3.gov to file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.