Talking to Seniors About Fraud
Mar 06, 2013
Protect loved ones from schemes that target the elderly
you notice a pile of sweepstakes notifications on Mom's desk, "As soon as I send them $1000. for processing. I will win millions!" says Mom.
You discover a thin coating of black liquid washing off your elderly aunt's driveway on a rainy day. She reports that a contractor was in the neighborhood knocked on her door and offered to apply a "sealant" at a good price.
Grandpa is suddenly taking an array of herbal supplements. An acquaintance from church is urging him to make and investment in the supplement company. You suspect it is a multi-level marketing scheme.
Scammers have always targeted seniors. Older adults often have money in the bank. They may be home during the day, with more time to listen to sales pitches. A person who feels lonely and isolated can be an easy mark for a "friendly stranger." Cognitive decline also may be a factor.
Scams and unethical sales methods cost seniors millions each year. The old classic con games, fake sweepstakes and phony charities have been joined by online fraud: phishing, pharming, ID theft and unscrupulous online businesses.
Families want to protect their senior loved ones from scams. But many seniors are resistant to talking about the subject. They don't want others prying into their personal business .And if they've already been victimized, they may be embarrassed, fearing that family will consider them incompetent. Here are someways to bring up the topic:
Educate yourself about fraud. Then, share the information with your parents. Here are some good online resources:
. Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm
. Better Business Bureau
www.bbb.org/scam-stopper
. AARP's fraud center
www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud
Also,check the website of your state's Attorney General.
Make scam protection a team effort.Your loved one may avoid discussing the subject if you lecture. Try opening the conversation like this: "I've been reading a lot about fraud and I'm taking steps to protect myself. How about you? Have you heard about some of these scams?"
Appeal to your loved one's sense of justice. Many senior volunteers are participating in volunteer "fraud squads" to help educate their peers about scammers. Encourage your loved one to discuss fraud with their friends, social organizations or at heir faith community.
Make online safety part of your caregiving support. In a recent poll, more than half of Caring Right at Home online readers reported that they provide computer tech support for older loved ones. If you are one of these many cybercaregivers,keep your loved one's antivirus software up to date, and encourage them to alert you before replying to any suspicious emails.
Take precautions if your loved one has dementia or other mental incapacity. Did you know that scammers sell the names of vulnerable seniors to other crooks? In many cases, a fraud incident is the red flag alerting families of the need to consider a guardianship or durable power of attorney for financial matters. It may also be time to consider an in-home caregiver for an extra measure of support. These are not easy discussions; an elder law attorney or geriatric care manager can help with the conversation.
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you notice a pile of sweepstakes notifications on Mom's desk, "As soon as I send them $1000. for processing. I will win millions!" says Mom.
You discover a thin coating of black liquid washing off your elderly aunt's driveway on a rainy day. She reports that a contractor was in the neighborhood knocked on her door and offered to apply a "sealant" at a good price.
Grandpa is suddenly taking an array of herbal supplements. An acquaintance from church is urging him to make and investment in the supplement company. You suspect it is a multi-level marketing scheme.
Scammers have always targeted seniors. Older adults often have money in the bank. They may be home during the day, with more time to listen to sales pitches. A person who feels lonely and isolated can be an easy mark for a "friendly stranger." Cognitive decline also may be a factor.
Scams and unethical sales methods cost seniors millions each year. The old classic con games, fake sweepstakes and phony charities have been joined by online fraud: phishing, pharming, ID theft and unscrupulous online businesses.
Families want to protect their senior loved ones from scams. But many seniors are resistant to talking about the subject. They don't want others prying into their personal business .And if they've already been victimized, they may be embarrassed, fearing that family will consider them incompetent. Here are someways to bring up the topic:
Educate yourself about fraud. Then, share the information with your parents. Here are some good online resources:
. Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm
. Better Business Bureau
www.bbb.org/scam-stopper
. AARP's fraud center
www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud
Also,check the website of your state's Attorney General.
Make scam protection a team effort.Your loved one may avoid discussing the subject if you lecture. Try opening the conversation like this: "I've been reading a lot about fraud and I'm taking steps to protect myself. How about you? Have you heard about some of these scams?"
Appeal to your loved one's sense of justice. Many senior volunteers are participating in volunteer "fraud squads" to help educate their peers about scammers. Encourage your loved one to discuss fraud with their friends, social organizations or at heir faith community.
Make online safety part of your caregiving support. In a recent poll, more than half of Caring Right at Home online readers reported that they provide computer tech support for older loved ones. If you are one of these many cybercaregivers,keep your loved one's antivirus software up to date, and encourage them to alert you before replying to any suspicious emails.
Take precautions if your loved one has dementia or other mental incapacity. Did you know that scammers sell the names of vulnerable seniors to other crooks? In many cases, a fraud incident is the red flag alerting families of the need to consider a guardianship or durable power of attorney for financial matters. It may also be time to consider an in-home caregiver for an extra measure of support. These are not easy discussions; an elder law attorney or geriatric care manager can help with the conversation.
