Elderly people make common targets for scammers. Threatening their personal, financial and medical needs, criminals have come up with new methods to take advantage of retired professionals and seniors in their twilight years. How can they guard against fraud? These fraud prevention tips can help you safeguard yourself from opportune scammers. Law enforcement action, awareness and resourcefulness are essential ingredients to combating these scammers.
Scams and Seniors: A Vulnerable Target
Elderly people have been targeted by a plethora of scams. These include the following:
- Grandparent scams
- Elder financial scam
- Grant Scam
- Confidence and romance frauds
- Home improvement scams
- Computer tech support schemes
- Identity theft (including the stealing of medical ID)
- Robocalls or unwanted telephone calls
- Sweepstakes scams
- IRS fraud scams
What steps can be taken to guard against senior scams? Here’s the actions you need to take as a family member of an elderly person.
What Seniors and Their Concerned Family Can Do
Fraud Prevention Tip #1: Ensure Caregivers Can Be Trusted
The first step as the family of an elderly person is to ensure that caregivers are worthy of trust and can be relied on. Research shows that many cases of scams and identity theft are perpetrated by caregivers who have access to homes and personal properties. If a person is caring for your family, ensure that he or she is above board. Also, do not trust caregivers with personal and financial information and details about your home safe or safe deposit box at a local bank. This is also essential in case managers are in cahoots with the scammers to access the home and commit scams or identity theft.
Fraud Prevention Tip #2: Make Seniors Aware About Scam
The IRS published a list of most common scams each year. The top scams include phone scams and mail scams. Caregivers and family members are not the only ones to be educated about the scam. Seniors should be made aware of the dangers of scams too. Seniors need to remain educated so that they can prevent themselves from falling prey to a fraudster.
Fraud Prevention Tip #3: Monitor All Financial Activity
Old people are a common target for scammers, because of a host of reasons. Elderly people are more prone to be trusting and to forget details. They have money and assets which lure the scammers. More seniors are also getting online, with the advent of the Internet Age. Many scams involve sending money or providing credit based information. Scammers often target the elderly because they are unlikely to crosscheck.
Fraud Prevention Tip #4: Sign Up For ID Theft Protection
Seniors need to have safeguards in place for identity theft protection. These services monitor the personal and financial information of the person on the black market, public records and other channels where identity thieves can use it. These services also offer credit monitoring in real time as well as access to credit reports and scores. Identity theft protection can make safeguarding details and information easier and also facilitate recovery in case you are compromised.
Fraud Prevention Tip #5: Known Devils Are Not Better than the Unknown !
When it comes to fraud, not just strangers, but those close to you can initiate the fraud. Reported elder abuse is generally from known people. Common tactics that scammers use include theft, joint checking accounts to gain access to the senior’s money, lack of care and neglect. Even seniors without sizable income or assets can be a target!
Fraud Prevention Tip #6: Don’t Live An Isolated Life
No man is an island and in the case of seniors, it is important not to live an isolated life. Behind close doors, older people who have withdrawn from the community may be the target of scammers. They are more vulnerable because they lack the ability to walk, drive or see on their own. Seniors can also be attacked by muggers and scammers if they venture out alone. Walking in groups keeps seniors safe and secure from both categories of victims.
Fraud Prevention Tip #7: Check Who Is At the Door For Help
Do not make purchases from unknown companies or donate to so-called charities without verifying details. It could be scammers looking to make a quick buck off you. It is equally important to get the contact details of the sales team or charity program manager before you carry out the business. Take your time when it comes to making decisions.
Fraud Prevention Tip #8: Never Share Receipts With Credit Card Numbers
Identity theft is a business that is flourishing. To protect yourself, you need to use a shredder. Monitor credit card and bank statements. Never give out any information over the telephone to someone who initiates contact with you without your having verified their details.
Fraud Prevention Tip #9: Register for DNC Services
This stops multiple telemarketers from being able to contact you. This can ensure that you do not fall prey to an opportunistic scammer. Do Not Call list is a security precaution you can take to prevent your phone number from being freely available to scammers.
Fraud Prevention Tip #10: Watch Out For Scam Emails
Another factor you need to consider is the mail. Don’t let incoming mail remain in the mailbox for longer periods of time. Rather than sending out a mail with your personal details, check out the office of the concerned organization. Sending sensitive information through an email is not very secure.
Fraud Prevention Tip #11: Benefit Checks? Use Direct Deposits
Use direct deposit facilities to ensure that checks go into the right account and are protected. Benefits checks can easily be stolen from mail boxes of senior people’s homes. The benefit of direct deposits are that the check is not waiting to be picked up by someone who is not a beneficiary.
Fraud Prevention Tip #12: Never Reveal Personal/Private Information
Never give out your credit card, banking details, SSN number, Medicare or other information unless the call has been initiated by you. Medicare scams are particularly rampant. Common scams include services billed not not delivered and selling services or devices to beneficiaries which are not required.
Fraud Prevention Tip #13: Don’t Accept Unsolicited Offers
Be a consumer with the right information. Make the time to call and verify the details before settling down on a purchase. Read contracts and purchase agreements with care before signing anything. Comprehend the cancellation and refund terms with care. Make rules regarding all interactions as a consumer and do not be pressured into making purchases or committing funds.
Conclusion
Fraud prevention is a necessary fact of life. It also involves a safety first mindset that must be inculcated for seniors to live a trouble-free life. Seniors are especially vulnerable on account of declining health and increasing number of medical conditions as the years advance. Don’t ever assume seniors are immune. If anything, they are more vulnerable on account of their age and accompanying changes. Instill a fraud prevention mindset to guard the elderly from becoming a victim of a scam.
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