What To Do if Your Elderly Parent is Being Scammed

As technology advances, our elderly parents and grandparents often struggle to keep up and may not understand the risks of falling for scams. Unfortunately, scammers are becoming more sophisticated in their tactics, making it easier for seniors to be taken advantage of.

While some scams may seem minor, others have resulted in devastating financial loss. It’s crucial to take steps to protect your elderly parents from falling prey to these scams. In this article, we will outline some of the best tips on what to do if your elderly parent is being scammed and how to prevent it from happening.

Common Scams Targeting Seniors

It’s likely you’ve heard within your social circle about various scams, including those targeting seniors. In fact, an estimated 3.5 million senior citizens a year fall victim to scammers.

With the rapid advancement in technology, it has become increasingly important for you to stay on top of these scams out there to protect your loved ones. Here is a list of one of the most common scams known to target the elderly that you should be aware of.

Tech Support Scams

Tech support scams come in various forms, each designed to deceive and exploit unsuspecting individuals, especially seniors.

Examples of These Scams

For example, one common variation involves a pop-up message claiming to be from a reputable tech company like Microsoft or Apple, stating that the victim’s computer is infected with a virus or malware. The message urges them to call a toll-free support number immediately for assistance.

When they make the call, a scammer posing as a tech support agent guides them through a series of steps, gaining remote access to their computer. The scammer may then charge exorbitant fees for unnecessary services or software.

Another prevalent tech scam targets seniors by convincing them that their computer’s warranty has expired, and they need to renew it.

Scammers then request payment for the supposed warranty renewal, often through methods that are difficult to trace, such as gift cards or wire transfers. After the payment is made, victims receive no actual service, and the scammers vanish with their money.

How to Protect the Senior

To protect against these scams:

• Be skeptical of unsolicited pop-up messages or phone calls.
• Never grant remote access to your device to an unknown party, provide personal or financial information, or make payments to supposed tech support agents.
• Instead, verify the legitimacy of the situation independently by contacting the official tech support channels directly through their official websites or phone numbers.
• Seek assistance from trusted family members or friends who are tech-savvy to ensure that you can navigate the digital landscape safely.

Staying informed and cautious is the key to safeguarding your digital life from these malicious scams.

The ‘Grandparents’ Scams

The grandparent scam is a distressing and deceitful scheme that preys on the emotions and vulnerability of elderly individuals.

In this scam, a fraudster typically poses as a grandchild or another family member in urgent need of financial assistance due to a fabricated emergency, such as a car accident, legal trouble, or medical expenses.

The scammer often employs emotional manipulation and may even mimic the voice of the supposed relative to make the story more convincing. They then pressure the targeted grandparent into sending money immediately, usually via wire transfer or gift cards, under the guise of maintaining secrecy or resolving the crisis quickly.

This scam is particularly effective because it exploits the deep concern that grandparents have for their grandchildren, leading them to act hastily without verifying the caller’s identity.

How to Protect the Senior

To protect against falling victim to this heart-wrenching fraud, it’s crucial for seniors to verify the identity of the caller, contact other family members to confirm the situation, and be cautious about sharing personal and financial information over the phone.

Healthcare Scams

Scammers don’t stop at making up stories, they use pressure tactics to obtain sensitive information from seniors.

• They may ask for Social Security numbers, Medicare ID numbers, or even bank details, pretending it’s necessary to fix fake issues.
• Scammers may insist that seniors need to verify their Medicare information to prevent a supposed account suspension or claim that there’s been a security breach and the senior’s financial information is at risk.
• They may also send fake invoices or bills for non-existent medical expenses and threaten legal consequences if payment is not made promptly.

These tactics create fear and urgency, making seniors more susceptible to fraudulent schemes that can lead to financial problems and emotional stress.

How to Protect the Senior

To protect against healthcare scams, seniors and their caregivers should be watchful and informed.

• Seniors should be aware of warning signs, such as unexpected calls or emails, high-pressure tactics, or requests for personal information.
• They should never give sensitive information to strangers, especially if they didn’t ask for help in the first place.
• Seniors should always check with their healthcare provider or Medicare directly using official contacts if they have concerns.
• Reporting any suspicious activities to the right authorities can help protect not just individuals but also others who could be targeted by these harmful healthcare scams.

Charity Scams

Charity scams represent a particularly insidious form of fraud that preys on people’s goodwill and desire to make a positive impact on the world.

In these scams, fraudsters often masquerade as representatives of legitimate charitable organizations, or they may exploit ongoing global crises, such as wars, natural disasters, or health emergencies, to tug at your heartstrings and manipulate your emotions.

These scammers are skilled at crafting compelling narratives that highlight the urgency and importance of their cause. For example, they might claim to be collecting donations for disaster relief efforts following a devastating earthquake, showing heart-wrenching images and stories of affected families to invoke sympathy.

They may even go so far as to use official-sounding names that closely resemble well-known charities, making it difficult to discern their illegitimacy. For instance, they might create a fake charity called “Helping Hands for Humanity” that sounds very similar to a legitimate organization like “Helping Hands International.” This intentional naming similarity can easily confuse potential donors who may not realize they are dealing with scammers.

Once they have your attention and sympathy, they’ll insist on an immediate donation, pressuring you to act without taking the time to research or verify the authenticity of their claims. They may claim that your quick contribution is urgently needed to provide shelter, food, or medical care to those in dire need.

Red Flags

These scammers often request donations through unconventional methods, such as wire transfers, prepaid gift cards, or cryptocurrency, making it difficult to trace or recover your money once it’s sent. They might also emphasize the need for secrecy, discouraging you from discussing the donation with others or seeking advice from friends and family.

Protecting Seniors

Protect seniors from falling victim to charity scams, by encouraging them to take the time to research the charity, verify their credentials, and donate directly through the organization’s official website or established channels rather than responding to unsolicited requests for donations.

It’s also good practice to consult reputable charity watchdog organizations like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau to confirm a charity’s legitimacy and financial transparency.

By staying informed and vigilant, you can ensure that their generous intentions are channeled toward genuine causes that truly make a positive impact on the world.

Social Security Scams

The Social Security scam is a particularly concerning and prevalent fraud that primarily targets elderly individuals, exploiting their fear of losing crucial financial benefits and their limited familiarity with digital security practices.

Scammers involved in this scheme often employ various tactics to manipulate their victims.

They may call the unsuspecting individual, posing as a Social Security Administration (SSA) representative, using official-sounding names and even spoofing the caller ID to appear legitimate. Once they establish contact, they capitalize on the victim’s anxiety by informing them of an impending crisis, such as the suspension or termination of their Social Security benefits due to alleged irregularities or suspicious activity linked to their account.

To add more credibility to their ruse, scammers might mention the victim’s Social Security number, creating a false sense of authenticity.

They then request sensitive information, such as the victim’s personal identification number (PIN), bank account details, or even their entire Social Security number, under the guise of verifying their identity or resolving the supposed issue. The threat of losing vital financial support and the perceived urgency of the situation can cause individuals to act hastily, without questioning the legitimacy of the call.

Red Flags

It’s important to note that government agencies like the SSA typically do not call individuals out of the blue to request sensitive information over the phone. They usually communicate through official letters and have well-defined procedures for addressing any concerns or discrepancies related to Social Security benefits.

Ways to Protect Seniors

To protect against falling victim to the Social Security scam, it’s essential for individuals, especially the elderly, to be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls requesting personal information.

They should never share sensitive data over the phone and should verify the legitimacy of the caller by independently contacting the SSA using official contact information from their website or official correspondence.

By staying informed and vigilant, individuals can safeguard their personal and financial information from these malicious scammers.

Phishing Email or Text

Phishing emails and text messages are one of the most prevalent and deceptive scams that frequently target seniors. These scams involve fraudsters attempting to trick individuals into divulging sensitive personal and financial information through cleverly crafted messages.

Phishing emails often appear to come from reputable sources, such as banks, government agencies, or well-known companies, making them seem trustworthy at first glance. Similarly, phishing text messages can appear to be urgent alerts or notifications, further enticing recipients to take immediate action.

How the Scam Works

In these fraudulent communications, scammers commonly employ tactics like creating a sense of urgency or fear, urging the recipient to act quickly. They may claim that there’s suspicious activity on the senior’s account, a problem with a recent purchase, or an issue with their personal information.

To resolve these fabricated problems, victims are instructed to click on a provided link, which typically leads to a fake website that closely mimics the legitimate one. These counterfeit sites often request login credentials, payment information, or other sensitive data.

Once unsuspecting seniors provide the requested information, scammers seize the opportunity to exploit it for malicious purposes. This can result in devastating consequences, including identity theft, unauthorized financial transactions, and significant financial losses.

Avoiding the Scam

To protect against phishing scams, seniors should exercise caution when receiving unsolicited emails or text messages, especially those that prompt immediate action or request sensitive information.

Always verify the legitimacy of such messages by independently contacting the supposed sender using official contact information rather than clicking on the provided links.

By staying vigilant and informed, seniors can significantly reduce their vulnerability to phishing scams and safeguard their personal and financial well-being.

How to Protect Your Elderly Parents From Scams

It can be a nightmare if your elderly parent falls for a scam, but it’s a relief if they manage to escape unharmed. However, you may want to ensure that they do not get scammed again in the future.

Fortunately, we have a comprehensive guide below that explains what to do if your elderly parent is being scammed and how you can protect them from fraud.

Know the Key Signs of an Email Scam

The online scammers who use email to fraud people are very clever and use underhanded methods to get information and money from the elderly. However, while these email scams are widespread, they have some common telltale signs of email scams including:

• The email has the word ‘urgent’ or comes with a deadline.
• The email comes from suspicious and unrealistic-looking email domains. For example, professional email holders usually do not include numbers in their emails. Hence, a legitimate Gmail would never have a number added next to the @gmail sign.
• The sender uses a fancy title or you may receive an email from a royal-sounding name.
• The email has spelling and grammar mistakes or addresses the senior using an incorrect name.

Don’t Trust Anyone Who Asks for Money Over the Phone

Remember how your parents taught you not to talk with strangers or take/give anything to them? Well, it is time to give them the same lesson but in more current terms. Remind your loved ones not to trust anyone seeking personal information or asking for money over the phone.

Don’t Trust the Automated Messages

Automated messages or computer-generated calls are one of the biggest red flags in the scamming world.

One common scam is when the scammers make a phone call stating that a loved one of your parent has been incarcerated. The automated message then asks the elderly for money so that they can bail their loved ones out. Many people, out of worry, can immediately make such transfers. However, it is essential to let your parents know that this is only bait, and they should not fall into this trap.

Don’t Trust Anyone Asking for Gift Cards

Gift card scams are another common way in which scammers try to lure payments out of their targets. These scammers will contact your loved ones, imitating someone from a government agency or a well-known company like Amazon or Target, and claim that they owe some debt. Make sure that you let your parents know about such happenings to prevent them from transferring any cash.

No genuine business or government body asks to pay off their debt through gift cards. Another telltale sign that it’s a scammer is when someone asks for their Google Play Card or direct access to their bank accounts on call. This is because, in most cases, it is a scam.

Use a Secure Password

For the longest time, one scamming method that multiple people encounter is fraudulently gaining access to their accounts. Why does it happen so often? Well, mainly because people do not keep a strong password on their accounts.

Many parents struggle with technology and may find it challenging to manage passwords effectively. As a result, they tend to use simple and easy-to-guess passwords or reuse the same password across all their accounts to avoid forgetting them. Unfortunately, this practice is risky because if a scammer manages to obtain access to one account, they can use the same password to gain entry to other accounts as well.

It is crucial to inform your parents about the importance of keeping a strong and secure password, or you may even create one for them. Additionally, teaching them to use different passwords for each account and platform can help prevent them from falling victim to scams.

Give your Parents a Refusal Script

Younger generations can recognize a spam call the moment we answer our phone and hang up on it without dishing out any information. Most cell phone carriers nowadays will even flag and label incoming calls as ‘Potential Spam.” However, many do escape the filter. That’s why it’s important to prepare your parents with a pep talk on how to decipher these unwelcome calls.

Spam calls can be particularly difficult for the elderly, who may find it easynto answer these calls or feel it impolite to hang up abruptly.

You can assist them by suggesting an appropriate ending sentence. For instance, they can politely explain that they are occupied and unable to continue the conversation or suggest that they will need to contact their bank or other provider to verify the claim made by the perpetrator. By saying something like this, they will be able to gracefully end the call and avoid being spammed in the future.

What To Do if Your Elderly Parent is Being Scammed

When a scam occurs, gathering detailed information is crucial in helping your parent or loved one who has fallen victim or suspects they were scammed.

Information to Collect

1. Date and Time: Ask your loved one to recall the date and time when the scammer first contacted them. This information can be vital in tracking down the timeline of events.

2. Company or Person Name: Encourage them to provide the name of the company or person they interacted with during the scam. Scammers often use fake names or pose as representatives of legitimate organizations, so identifying the fraudulent entity is essential.

3. Contact Details: Document the contact information used by the scammer. This includes phone numbers, email addresses, or any other means of communication they used to reach your loved one. Scammers may use burner phones or disposable email accounts, but any information can be helpful.

4. Payment Method: Find out how your loved one made the payment to the scammer. Did they use a credit card, wire transfer, prepaid gift cards, or some other method? Understanding the payment method is crucial for taking appropriate action.

5. Destination of Funds: Determine where the funds were sent. Scammers often request money to be sent to specific bank accounts or cryptocurrency wallets. Knowing the destination can assist in tracking down the scammer.

6. Scammer’s Instructions: Document any specific instructions or demands given by the scammer. This could include requests to keep the scam confidential or to provide additional personal information.

What To Do Next

If you suspect any fraudulent activity or your parent has already fallen victim to a scam, take the following steps:

• Contact the Bank: Immediately get in touch with your parent’s bank or financial institution. Inform them about the situation and provide them with the relevant details you’ve gathered. They can help with freezing accounts or taking appropriate actions to mitigate financial losses.
• Report to Authorities: Report the scam to the local authorities by calling 911 or the non-emergency police number. Provide them with all the collected information to aid in their investigation.
• Contact the Appropriate Agencies: Depending on the nature of the scam, you may also need to report it to specific agencies. For example, if it involves identity theft or online fraud, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftccomplaintassistant.gov. If it’s related to a financial scam, inform the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
• Keep Records: Maintain records of all communication and actions taken related to the scam. This includes emails, text messages, and any documentation provided by the scammer.
• Seek Legal Advice: If necessary, consult an attorney who specializes in fraud or elder law. They can provide guidance on potential legal recourse.
• Educate and Support: Lastly, support your parent emotionally and provide education on recognizing and avoiding scams in the future. Encourage open communication and help them develop strategies to protect themselves from similar incidents.

Remember that acting swiftly is crucial when dealing with scams to minimize financial losses and increase the chances of apprehending the perpetrators.

In Conclusion

If you suspect that your elderly parent is being scammed, it’s important to take immediate action. Scams targeting seniors can be devastating, both financially and emotionally. In order to protect your parent, you may need to become more involved in their financial affairs. This could include monitoring their bank accounts and credit card statements, as well as helping them to understand the latest scams and how to avoid them.

It’s also important to report any suspected scams to the appropriate authorities, such as the local police department or the Federal Trade Commission.

If this is the case, then we hope this article was helpful to you. Let us know whether you used our mentioned tactics to protect your parents and which methods worked the best.