6 Scams to Protect Your Elderly Loved Ones From

Did you know your elderly loved ones could be at risk of being the victim of a scam at anytime? Based on the warnings the FBI issues to care givers and medical professionals, this possibility is more real than you think.

Consider the following statistics about the scams against seniors, which constitute a form of elder abuse. Afterwards, notice the 6 common scams that you and your elderly loved ones should remain alerted to.

Crimes Against Elderly

It’s no secret that one of the biggest and most challenging side effects of aging is memory loss. An older adult doesn’t have to be experiencing dementia or Alzheimer’s, to find themselves being a bit forgetful.

Unfortunately, there are predators out there, just waiting to descend on a slightly forgetful senior like a chicken hawk on a baby chick. In 2021, there’s no shortage of crimes against the elderly.

With just one slip of the tongue from your elderly loved one, and these savvy criminals can extract enough information to cause a world of damage.

According to the Senate Special Committee on Aging, this kind of criminal activity against the elderly is sad and costly. They estimate:

“Scammers cheat seniors out of approximately $2.9 billion annually.”

No one is exempt from falling prey to the cunning skills these crooks display. And the schemes don’t just single out seniors with a certain education or background.

Well-educated individuals with above-average incomes are often targeted by scammers and con artists, just like those of little means, and limited education.

The sophisticated pitches they use are well rehearsed and very convincing. They sound reasonable and appear legitimate to the unsuspecting victims.

There is one truly sad thing about the whole ordeal, besides countless seniors losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. When an elderly person is scammed, it can be detrimental to their mental health.

After the initial embarrassment, they may begin to experience feelings of anxiety, helplessness, and depression. They will also, no doubt, end up with a fear of trusting people again.

Needless to say, these are the kind of feelings that will most definitely affect the seniors’ mental health, as well as physical health. In some instances, once they finally become aware of what has happened, the senior might even be reluctant to let their loved ones know they were scammed.

This is why it’s so important for family members and friends who care, to help keep senior citizens informed about scams. Make them aware of these slick talking criminals who may try to defraud them.

And be sure to monitor them regularly, especially if they live alone. Watch for symptoms or any indication that they may have encountered this kind of problem.

There are a number of different schemes and crimes that scammers will try to use on the elderly.

The following 6 schemes are the ones that the FBI says are the most common, no doubt because they are the most effective.

Six senior scams to beware of are:

1. Romance Scams — Con artists will meet unsuspecting elders on dating or social media sites, pretending to be romantically interested in those looking for companionship.
2. Tech Support Scams — These criminals pretend to be technical support representatives, offering to fix computer problems that don’t exist, only to get access to sensitive information, by remote access.
3. Grandparent Scams — These heartless criminals pose as some family member, typically a grandchild, and they pretend to be in dire financial need and must get help right away.
4. Government Impersonation Scams — Criminals who use this tactic, claim to be government employees, and after making up some bogus charge, threaten to arrest the senior or pursue them legally, unless they make some type of payment.
5. Home Repair Scams — These scammers actually show up in person, going to the seniors’ home and charging them in advance for some service offered, that they never end up providing.
6. Family/Caregiver Scams — This is another one of the more heartless crimes, where a relative or an acquaintance of the senior is taking advantage of the older adult, usually by depleting funds from a joint bank account, or arranging to provide care, in exchange for payment, property, or something else of value. Additionally, some of these criminals also steal money or valuables from the seniors outright.

The FBI has made it clear, that these individuals will undergo prosecution if a crime is committed, so be alert, and keep these links handy, on where to go for help, if needed.

Elder Fraud — FBI.gov

National Elder Fraud Hotline | Office for Victims of Crime

Financial Exploitation | EJI | Department of Justice

How Should You Talk to Your Elderly Loved Ones about Scams?

Some, if not all of the schemes, may be sensitive to talk about with the older adults you’re trying to protect.

But you can make it easier:

• By helping them appreciate how the conversations are for their own good, and will keep them safe.
• Instead of coming off like a warden or sergeant at arms, try to keep the conversation light.
• You can even be your regular witty self when you discuss these issues, using a little humor to smooth things over.
• If the senior is receptive to the conversation and you’re making your point, try some role playing on how to respond to suspected scammers.
• Do what it takes to be serious and get the point across, without making them feel uncomfortable, so they shut the conversation down.

Final Thoughts

Clearly, these six schemes that con artists use the most are because they prove to be effective.

So even though seniors need to be alert and know how to avoid the scams, it’s up to their circle of family, friends, and anyone who cares, to help keep them informed and alert to criminals on the make.

KEEP THESE POINTS IN MIND:

• Remember the annual statistics and just how prevalent these crimes are.
• Keep in mind the types of individuals that are targeted.
• Recall the symptoms following a scam and monitor your seniors’ behavior.
• Remember the 6 most common scams and sit down and discuss ways to. avoid them with your family and elderly loved ones.

Use the suggestions on how to talk to your seniors about these issues, and do it sooner than later.