Unexpected Ways Scammers Prey on the Elderly

The Consumer Law Center reports that the elderly lose about $40 billion every year to phone scams. Telemarketing scams are just the start of the ways seniors are swindled out of their hard earned retirement funds.

Here are some of the more surprising ways.

Emailed Driving Fines

An email scam is hitting people throughout the nation. The official-looking email arrives and says the driver in the household was caught speeding by traffic cameras. An attachment containing the supposed video gets opened and ransomware is installed on the computer. Some of the scams require you to give a credit card immediately to pay the fine. Either way, seniors must be told that traffic tickets never come by email.

Inheritance Scam

There’s a scam going around where a senior gets an email or letter that someone claimed the senior died and that they’re due the inheritance worth X amount. If the senior did not really die, they’re asked to send proof they’re still alive. To prove they’re still alive, seniors are asked to scan and send documents to prove their identity.

An alternate version of this scam exists, too. Seniors are contacted to say a distant relative left them an inheritance. The “lawyer” needs proof of identity before payment is issued.

Home Care Services in East Quogue NY: Senior “Scammer” Safety

Pet Scams

There are two common pet scams. Dogs are great companions for a lonely senior, so it’s common for older men and women to fall for them.

The first pet scam involves seniors who already own a dog. They put their pet outside, get distracted in some way, and when they return to let their pet in, it’s gone. After days of frantically looking for the dog, the thief says they found the dog and want a reward. The senior pays it.

Seniors looking for a puppy are also frequently scammed. In the second scam, a senior places an ad looking for a puppy to add to their household. They get a response that someone has a puppy matching the senior’s ad. It’s in another state so money needs to be wired to the scammer to pay for the transportation fees. The money is sent, but the pet never arrives.

How can elder care services help?

Seniors often fall for scams because they’re simply unaware of the depth scammers will go to. Phone scams are designed to target seniors who may be lonely and need someone to talk to.

Make sure your parent is not lonely. Caregivers offer companionship as one of their many services. Have someone come to your mom or dad’s home, help them with housework and laundry and simply spend time so that your parent never feels alone. Call a home care agency today to schedule an appointment to discuss other benefits caregivers offer.

If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring home care services in East Quogue, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.

Sources:
http://www.ncpc.org/topics/crime-against-seniors