Scammers are hijacking Ohio's well-known Golden Buckeye card program and turning it into bait, according to the Ohio Department of Aging, which says crooks are calling older residents, posing as program staff, and pressing for Social Security numbers and other sensitive details. Officials say the calls are a phishing attempt aimed at stripping vulnerable Ohioans of their personal and financial data, and they are urging cardholders to hang up on unsolicited requests and confirm any outreach directly with the state.
As reported by Cleveland.com, the calls have been hitting households across the state and seeking protected information, including Social Security numbers. Ursel J. McElroy, director of the Ohio Department of Aging, labeled the calls "a phishing attempt" and warned, "Do not share your personal information with anyone who contacts you claiming to be from the Golden Buckeye program."
What the Golden Buckeye program is
The Golden Buckeye card is a long-running state benefit that gives Ohio residents age 60 and older access to discounts and other perks at participating businesses. State law directs the Department of Aging to run the program for eligible Ohioans, and the statute spells out its purpose and who qualifies. Ohio Revised Code Section 173.06 describes the program's mission and eligibility rules.
How to report
Officials say that anyone who receives a suspicious call should report it to the Federal Trade Commission and through the Ohio Attorney General's online inquiry form at the Ohio Attorney General's Office. People who believe they have already shared information or lost money are also urged to contact their local law enforcement agency for immediate help. Cleveland.com noted that state officials are asking both victims and witnesses to come forward so investigators can better track the scammers' tactics.
Tips to avoid phishing calls
Cuyahoga County's Scam Squad recommends letting calls from unknown numbers roll to voicemail and deleting surprise texts instead of tapping on links or replying. The group stresses that you should never hand over a Social Security number, bank account details, or other financial information to someone who contacts you out of the blue. If a caller claims to be from a company or agency you recognize, the county advises hanging up and calling back using a phone number you find on your own, not one supplied by the caller. It also urges residents to refuse payment requests made with gift cards or peer-to-peer payment apps.
Cuyahoga County reports that scammers stole more than $5.2 million from residents in 2025 and says it maintains local resources and a hotline for people who think they have been targeted, listed on the county's consumer page.
Why older Ohioans are targets
Experts say government-imposter schemes are part of a wider surge in cons that lean on urgency and fear, and Ohio's older residents are a favorite target. During National Consumer Protection Week, state officials urged retirees to be especially wary, noting that scammers often pose as Medicare, Social Security, or other government programs, according to Spectrum News 1.
If you or a loved one gets one of these calls, officials say the safest move is to hang up and verify the outreach using a trusted phone number or website, rather than any contact information the caller gives you. Suspected scams can be reported through the Federal Trade Commission and the Ohio Attorney General's Office, and local police can assist victims who have lost money or had personal information exposed.
