Scams that target seniors are up more than 11% according to the FBI. And some experts feel that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Often, seniors won’t report being scammed because they are embarrassed or feel ashamed. So, if your senior parent is living alone you need to take steps to help them avoid being scammed.
The best way to help your mom or dad avoid getting scammed is to talk with them about common scams. Make sure they know the red flags to look for and what to do if something seems suspicious.
You can also get in-home care for your mom or dad. In-home care is a great way to protect your senior parent if you can’t be there with them often. A caregiver will go to their home regularly to help your senior parent with household chores, meals, shopping, errands, and managing the household.
Just having someone else in the house to answer the phone can help deter scammers. And a care provider can help your senior parent be on the lookout for signs of scams like:
Unsolicited Contacts
Scammers often reach out without prior contact through phone calls, emails, or mail. If your senior mom or dad receives an unexpected message or visit from someone claiming to represent a company, government agency, or charity, it’s a potential red flag.
Requests for Personal Information
Legitimate organizations will not ask for sensitive information like Social Security numbers, bank account details, or passwords over the phone or via email. Any request for such information should be treated with suspicion. Make sure your senior parent knows that their bank will never ask them to verify their personal information over the phone.
High-Pressure Tactics
Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to create a sense of urgency, insisting that the seniors they are targeting must act immediately to avoid some sort of penalty or to secure a special deal. This urgency is designed to prevent the person from thinking critically about the situation.
Having in-home care is a good way to combat this tactic because the caregiver can answer the phone and make sure the call is legitimate before giving the phone to your mom or dad.
Too Good to Be True Offers
If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Promises of large sums of money, sweepstakes winnings, or fantastic investment returns are common tactics used to lure seniors into scams. Tell your senior parent to always be suspicious of any unexpected windfalls or trip offers.
Requests for Payment via Untraceable Methods
Scammers often ask for payment through unusual or untraceable methods, such as wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, or gift cards. Legitimate businesses typically offer multiple payment options and do not insist on these methods.
During the holidays scammers often will ask for gift cards or e-gift cards. Anyone asking for money through an untraceable method is almost certainly a scammer.
Lack of Verifiable Contact Information
Legitimate organizations have verifiable contact information, including a physical address and a working customer service number. If a senior cannot verify the contact details of the person or organization, it’s a red flag.
Poor Grammar and Spelling
Many scam communications, especially emails and letters, contain noticeable spelling and grammatical errors. These mistakes are often a sign that the message is not from a legitimate source.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring In-Home Care in Century City, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Care Help. Serving All of Los Angeles County. Call us today at (888) 989-7388
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