Top 10 scams targeting seniors
Recognizing scams, protecting assets, and legal safeguards
The world is always evolving, and for some, like the seniors you provide care for, they are often left behind with updates to technology. To be fair, it is not just seniors who need to be aware of scams, it’s providers like you and everyday people as well. We all remember the days of spam email from some faraway prince needing our help, but in today’s world, scammers are trying their best and are getting very good at making their scams look plausible
Top 10 elderly scams
Tech Support
Often, these calls target the elderly for their trusting nature. They will often start cold-calling seniors, telling them they are working for a legitimate company that wants to make sure their computer is safe. Often, they will walk through senior through the steps to download software that gives access to the scammer. Once they have access, they will attempt to gain access to online banking accounts where they can transfer the seniors hard-earned pensions and savings to them.
If this happens, please immediately contact your bank’s fraud department, and they will do what they can to help you recover the funds.
Niece/Nephew
Preying on the love of someone’s relatives is something scammers will do. Calling a senior in your care and posing as a Niece or Nephew, or even calling and saying something like Hi, it’s your niece. Do you remember my name? Once they develop some type of rapport, they will ask for money for an emergency.
Charity Scams
Our seniors are typically the most gentle and giving people on this earth, and are targeted with phone calls, emails, and texts asking for donations to worthy charities. Unfortunately, these charities are often scams, just looking for a quick buck.
Healthcare Scams
There are scams that will target the elderly in order to obtain healthcare information, such as their Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI), which will then be used to order fake tests the senior does not need. These scams don’t directly impact our patients, but sometimes will if they are ever in need of these tests, which can often be billed only once by Medicare.
Emails
With technology evolving, so have scams. Like everyone one we receive many emails promising the world with just a few clicks and some basic information. Be wary, often these are just ways scammers will gather basic information to potentially use to open fraudulent credit cards and accounts in your name.
Sweepstakes
You have won 1 million dollars, we just need you to pay taxes and or fees to get your winnings. A tag line that has been used to trick people for years now. These types of scams can cost a person thousands of dollars and prey on the feeling of hope. These can come by email, phone, or even letter, and use companies like Publishers Clearing House as a way of building trust.
IRS/TAX
Fear is what drives this. Most people are upstanding citizens who pay taxes and get anxious if they have ever seen a piece of paper on their windshield, praying it’s not a ticket. This is exactly what scammers prey on. The thought of being in trouble with the IRS makes even the most eagle-eyed person think twice, which is why this one is a truly hurtful one, preying on people with fear.
Counterfeit products
The wonders of the internet and the constant need for supervision of all ages. Not one of us has not been scrolling some website or social media, and we get hit with an ad promising cheap designer handbags, cheaper prescription medicine, or even some good old snake oil. Some of these scams will just steal some money for cheap products, and others will steal our valuable credit card info. Always remember the golden rule: “ If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.”
Text
This one is particularly sneaky, often asking you to pay an overdue charge from companies like FedEx or UPS. Sometimes it can be toll booth charges. But each time, they are just hoping you won’t look too deeply and give up valuable personal and financial information.
Lead Capture
This one is a bit more complicated. Usually, when you see an offer online for something you need to give your name and email, and you will just get some promotional emails and offers. Which some find annoying, but generally not harmful. However, be on the watch for anything that might as your personal info. One that I’m sure you have seen in some variation would go like this:
Want to know your Musical stage name? Give us the following information: Name, email. DOB, street you live on, and your dog’s name. Sounds like a fun little game, right? But in reality, they’re trying to use personal info you may have used for a secret password to gain access to your accounts.
I know this all can put a very negative outlook on the world, but just being aware of these and other scams, you can protect yourself and the people you love and care for. The golden rule I tell people is If it sounds too go to be true, it often is. If you or someone you care for has been a victim of a scam, you should contact your bank or financial institute and contact your local law enforcement. Here are some links that will help you.
NAPSA (National Adult Protective Services Association) https://www.napsa-now.org/help-in-your-area
FTC
https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/?orgcode=NCOA
FBI