Scams and fraud are common crimes that can leave seniors penniless. Criminals use a variety of tactics to collect financial data. These efforts lead to serious financial losses and an inability of elderly individuals to support themselves.
The scams involve scare tactics such as jail time or harm to loved ones. The seniors who fall victim to the scams believe the criminals and provide financial details. Credit card accounts and banking information are common targets for the perpetrators. If the scams are successful, the seniors may never recover their money. Families must find ways to protect the elderly from scams and fraud.
Set Up Practices to Contact Family Quickly
A common threat used by scammers is that a loved one is in trouble. A careful strategy is to get the senior in the habit of contacting the loved one. If a scammer calls or comes by the home, the senior can text the loved one to let them know about the visit.
This prevents the scammer from getting information and keeps the resident at ease. Educating the seniors about these scare tactics helps seniors avoid being victimized. When living in an assisted living community, seniors learn about safe practices for dealing with scam artists.
Restrict Calls from Non-Contacts
IRS scams are another strategy to get financial details. Seniors who are required to file tax returns should give document copies to a family member. This keeps all the records in a safe place and away from scammers. Another strategy is to use smartphone settings to block calls from anyone not on the person’s contact list. The smartphone features provide easy ways to stop calls from any party not listed as a contact. The scam artist cannot collect data if the senior is out of their reach.
Setting Up Permissions on Computers and Tablets
Parental controls are efficient ways to protect seniors. The settings stop the internet users from opening unsafe websites. The features stop solicitations from arriving in email inboxes and lower the risk of viruses. Ransomware is a common issue for seniors, and families need to set up antivirus software to prevent attacks.
Advanced security schemes on computers and tablets protect these internet users and prevent common scams. Residents with dementia who receive memory care need extra help to protect themselves online.
Decrease the Risk of Isolation
In senior communities, residents are less likely to become isolated or lonely. Isolation can lead to mental disorders, and the residents can fall victim to scams. Seniors who move into a community instead of staying in the family home aren’t isolated and have like-minded individuals nearby. Communities offer services to keep residents safer and prevent manipulations and scare tactics.
Limiting Daily Withdrawals
Banks use safeguards to prevent suspicious activities. Spending limits are helpful in preventing criminals from withdrawing all the person’s money at once. Seniors can make adjustments to these spending limits. Once there is an alert of unauthorized transactions, the account holder can set up a new account and transfer the money.
Keeping the Resident Busy With Friends and Activities
When a senior lives in a community, making new friends is possible, and the community offers activities that provide opportunities to meet other residents. Many residents find plenty to do to keep busy and avoid scam artists. By staying busy, the residents aren’t sitting by the phone when scammers call. The individuals aren’t isolated at home where scammers could show up without warning.
Terrific Homes for Seniors
At Crescendo Senior Living, we offer private homes for residents and a multitude of amenities. Our community offers vital services needed for daily life, including meal preparation, transportation, and housekeeping. Families and seniors can learn more about our community and ways to stay safe by setting up a tour now.
Emerging scams lead to fraudulent purchases and serious financial losses. Seniors are primary targets for these scams because of their perceived vulnerability. The scam artists evaluate elderly individuals and try to figure out the best way to scare or threaten them. Some scams involve robocalls and unwanted solicitations through email.
Families must learn more about the scams and put protocols in place to protect these loved ones. The elderly person may need to give a family member a power of attorney. The document allows the family member to access and control the senior’s assets. This prevents seniors from giving out financial details to scammers. The family member keeps all the information in a safe place.
Senior communities are another great choice for elderly individuals and blocks access to in-person visits by these criminals. By learning more about safety measures, family members can protect their loved ones effectively.
