Protect Your Elderly Loved One From Phone Scams

Helping your senior avoid phone scams is crucial in today's digital age. More and more scammers are employing deceitful methods and tricks to financially exploit the generosity of seniors and their sometimes lack of internet experience.

As these deceptions evolve and become increasingly sophisticated, your understanding of common tactics used by fraudsters is essential in helping your loved one protect their personal and financial information.

Warning Signs for Elder Scams

More than 101,000 seniors reported fraud to the FBI last year. Scams targeting individuals aged 60 and older caused over $3.4 billion in losses—an average of $34,000 per victim.

If you're responsible for the care of an elderly family member or friend, watch out for these warning signs that could suggest they've become a target:

• Providing private or financial information over the phone or online
• Receiving frequent phone calls from unknown numbers
• Receiving unusual requests for trips to the bank
• Regularly bouncing checks for typical expenses such as bills

Top Deceptive Phone Scams Targeting Seniors

Discover the most cunning tactics scammers use to target seniors over the phone. Learn how to protect your elderly loved one from these deceptive schemes with the following insights and practical advice.

1. Most Common: Tech Support Scams
In a tech support scam, a caller pretends to work for a big-name computer company like Microsoft or Apple. They say a critical computer problem has been detected and may ask a senior for remote access to their device before soliciting money to fix a problem that does not exist.

Tech support scammers use pop-up windows, online ads, and misleading emails to trick the elderly. Sometimes, they will offer a fake refund.

What to do: Remind your aging loved one tech support will never call unexpectedly, and nobody is monitoring their computer. If they receive a call from someone claiming there is a problem with their computer, they should hang up immediately. Tell them never to give bank or credit card information to someone they don’t know. If they need help fixing a computer problem, inform them you can find appropriate tech support.

Related reading: Top-5 Telemarketing Scams that Target Seniors

2. Most Costly: Investment Scams
Investment scammers claim to be telemarketers or financial advisors to fool seniors into urgently investing savings and other assets into fake stocks, bonds, commodities, or real estate.

What to do: Encourage your senior to be skeptical of unsolicited calls offering investment opportunities that promise high returns with little risk. Advise them not to discuss or provide personal or financial information over the phone with a stranger. Encourage them to consult with a trusted financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

3. Sneakiest: Government and Family Impersonation Scams
Government and family impersonation scams involve fraudulent attempts to deceive individuals by posing as government officials or family members. Impersonation scams cost seniors millions each year and can include:

• Government impersonation
  Scammers pretend to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, or Medicare. The goal is to intimidate or scare victims into providing personal information, such as Social Security numbers or bank details, or to make immediate payments through methods like wire transfers or prepaid cards.
  
  
• Lottery scam
  The fraudster calls to announce a prize, but the senior MUST send cash or other payment upfront to cover certain taxes and fees. Prizes are not delivered, and payments are stolen from the victim.
  
  
• Grandchild scam
  In this scam, a fraudster exploits a personal relationship by pretending to be a grandchild. They may begin the call with a charming greeting such as “Hi Grandma, can you guess who’s calling?” After earning their trust, the scammer asks for money, often sent via a money transfer or gift card.

What to do: These scams play on emotions and trick seniors into handing over money or sensitive information. Encourage your loved one to verify the identity of anyone making such requests by asking for phone numbers that they can call back, ensuring the caller’s authenticity.

Unfortunately, scams are a part of life. These fraudsters are eager to get into your loved one’s hard-earned savings, so it’s important to stay vigilant. Remind your aging loved ones that sometimes hanging up the phone on someone is OK, especially if that person isn’t someone they trust.

Professional Home Care Can Safeguard Your Senior from Scams

Protecting your loved one from scams should be a top priority, and Visiting Angels is here to assist with our trusted senior care services. Our caregivers are extensively trained to recognize red flags that may indicate fraud, ensuring your loved one's safety and security.

Whether it's suspicious phone calls, potential financial exploitation, or other deceptive tactics, our compassionate caregivers will actively monitor and report any concerns to you and your family. With Visiting Angels, you can have peace of mind knowing your senior is receiving attentive care and protection against potential scams.

Contact us today to discover how we can provide personalized support and enhance the safety of your loved one at home.