In the world of today, scams aimed against the elderly are all too frequent. Due to their retirement funds or the fact that they may live independently, many fraudsters consider the elderly to be good targets. There are also a lot of outmoded and even false perceptions about elderly people that make them easy targets.
Fortunately, there are several strategies to keep one step ahead of the scammers and avoid being a victim. Learn about some of the various scams targeting your aging parent so that you may protect them if the need ever arises.
False Accident Scams
Fraudsters will contact and claim that somebody close to or connected to the victim is hurt and is in the hospital and that funds must be paid right away. The victim is frequently pressured to transfer money before the fraudster verifies the reality of the accident and the victim’s relationship with the individual who is harmed. Another scam artist is frequently present at the site of the “accident,” posing as a law enforcement officer, physician, or attorney.
Computer Support and Tech Scams
Scams involving technology or computer help are the most common. In some versions, the elderly receive a call from somebody promising to provide tech help for their personal computer or to rid their PCs of viruses, spyware, and other threats. Later, the con artists do simple tasks such as downloading free security software, and it is likely that the elders are unaware they have been duped. Scammers utilize internet adverts to attract older folks to approach them for assistance in other versions of this scam.
Fake Prize and Lottery Scams
Many elders are duped into thinking they have obtained a big sum of money, only to be informed they must transfer money for “fees and taxes” or the top prize would be confiscated by customs officers. The victim learns she or he has been duped after doing this and getting a check that cannot be cleared.
Unfortunately, consumers who fall for this fraud are more likely to get fake prizes and lottery scam calls, offers, and emails in the future. Surprisingly, a fraudster may phone the victims and pretend to be a law enforcement officer or investigator looking into probable fake prizes and lottery fraud. The detective will need to know the victim’s financial details in order to conduct an investigation.
Grandparent Scams
This scam generally involves a fraudster contacting or emailing elders and posing as a member of the family in distress or an official representative for the relative. The “relative” then requests that money be transmitted to her or him to cover a fictitious expenditure. Since the caller wishes to keep the matter under wraps, the victim is frequently instructed not to notify anybody, even other members of the family.
Fraudsters contact elders using internet matchmaking sites or social networking sites like Facebook in certain variations of this scheme. An elderly creates a real account or profile and communicates with a fraudster, gaining confidence and maybe romantic desire. When cash is requested following an “emergency,” the elder indulges the request.
