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How to Protect Aging Loved Ones from Scammers

Updated: Jan 3, 2024



Have you ever received a threatening call from the "IRS", a surprise message about winning a contest, or a distressing plea for help from a grandchild stranded abroad? These are just a few examples of the scams that older individuals often fall prey to, whether through email, text messages, or phone calls.

In fact, in 2021, an estimated 59 million Americans fell victim to scammers, with an average loss of $1,200 per person. It's a sobering statistic, but the good news is that you can play a vital role in safeguarding your parents or elderly loved ones from these scams by educating yourself and them about common scams and how to protect against them.

Understanding How Scams Work

To effectively combat scams, it's essential to know the various tactics scammers employ. Here are some common types of phone scams to watch out for:

  1. Impersonation Calls: Scammers often pretend to be government officials, utility providers, or tech giants like Microsoft or Apple. Keep in mind that genuine government agencies and utilities typically use written notices, not unsolicited phone calls.

  2. Charity Fundraisers: Be cautious of unsolicited calls soliciting donations, especially during the holiday season or after disasters. These may or may not come from legitimate charities.

  3. Too Good to Be True Offers: Scammers frequently pitch products or services with enticing terms, such as product trials, cash prizes, cheap travel packages, medical devices, pre-approved loans, debt reduction schemes, and low-risk, high-return investments. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

  4. Robocalls: Automated sales calls from unapproved companies are illegal and almost always scams.

It's essential to remember that scams can take various forms beyond phone calls, such as fraudulent text messages, emails, or social media messages congratulating you on winning a contest and requesting a "processing fee."

Another common scam involves overpayment, where scammers send a check for an excessive amount, ask for a refund via a money-transfer app, and disappear before the check bounces.

Recognizing Red Flags

To avoid falling victim to scams, watch out for these red flags:

  • Payment Methods: Be wary of anyone insisting on gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency as payment methods, as scammers prefer untraceable transactions.

  • Request for Personal Information: Genuine government agencies won't ask to "confirm" information they already possess, like Social Security or Medicare numbers.

  • Unusual Contact Methods: Government agencies typically don't reach out via social media or email. Be cautious of notifications that don't arrive through traditional mail.

  • Contractor Scams: Beware of unsolicited offers from contractors claiming to have leftover materials from a neighboring job. They might perform subpar work and disappear.

  • Post-Disaster Scams: After natural disasters, scammers prey on people, especially seniors, with fake charities and repair services.

Protecting Against Scams

While you can't monitor every moment of your parents' day, you can take proactive steps to protect them from scams:

  • Trust Your Instincts: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. When in doubt, hang up the phone or close your browser.

  • Register on the FTC's Do Not Call Registry: Add all phone numbers to this registry to reduce unwanted calls.

  • Use Call-Blocking Tools: Install call-blocking mobile apps or devices to filter out spam and scams.

  • Be Cautious with Software: Never install software at the request of a random caller.

  • Don't Give Personal Information: Avoid sharing personal info like Social Security numbers or credit card details with unknown individuals or entities.

  • Verify Official Entities: Don't click on links in emails claiming to be from official sources; instead, look up the contact information independently.

  • Avoid Unusual Payment Methods: Don't pay registration, processing fees, or charges to claim prizes or free products, and steer clear of gift cards, prepaid debit cards, and wire transfers. Despite our best efforts, scams can still happen. However, there's a little-known solution called Regulation E that could help if a money transfer is involved. This regulation safeguards consumers when it comes to electronic fund transfers and allows you to dispute errors, unauthorized transfers, or incorrect transactions. Remember, knowledge is your best defense against scams, so stay informed and protect your loved ones from falling victim to these schemes.

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