Protect Yourself from Senior Scams

February 13, 2020

Woman being targeted by senior scams on the phone and computer.

Scams have become smarter and more sophisticated over the years. While financial scams are common and can target someone from any age, scams specifically targeting seniors are consistently on the rise.

Senior financial abuse is so prevalent it has been called the “crime of the 21st century.” This happens because seniors are considered to have a significant amount of money in their accounts, and financial scams often go unreported and are regarded as a “low-risk” crime.

Keep reading to raise your awareness and learn how to protect yourself from the most common senior scams.

Common Scams Targeting Seniors

Phone Scams

IRS Scam – Scammers will call and impersonate an IRS officer, asking for personal information they are able to use or ordering the recipient to pay a “fine.” Tip: IRS typically first contact citizens through mail, and there will not be threats.

Charity Scams – Most often occurring after natural disasters, a scammer will call and solicit money for fake charities. Tip: Confirm the charity is valid through the IRS Tax Organization Exemption Search prior to donating.

Email Scams

Contest Winner Scam – The email usual informs a target that they’ve won a large sum of money. But, in order to receive the money, personal information needs to be entered in order to claim it – which is information a scammer uses to steal money. Tip: Look at the email address the email is sent “to.” If it does not explicitly state your email, then it is a generic email sent to a large list of people.

PayPal Scam – A fake “PayPal” email is sent to the recipient saying that their account has been hacked and need to sign in to change account settings; in reality, the scammer is looking for their PayPal login information. Tip: Confirm the sender’s email address is legitimate.

Software Scams

Anti-Virus Scams – Recipients of an email are prompted to pay for false anti-virus software or, worse, install malware on the computer disguised as anti-virus software. Tip: Don’t download software you have not verified is legitimate.

Tech Support Scams – A company will call a person claiming to need remote access to their computer in order to solve a problem, giving them the ability to install malware and steal personal information. Tip: Tech companies do not typically reach out and offer to help you fix your computer – never accept help.

Learn More About a Vibrant Lifestyle at Winchester Gardens

There’s an old saying, “if it’s too good to be true, it usually is.” While that might apply to scams targeting seniors, the same can’t be said for the vibrant life that’s waiting for you at Winchester Gardens. A meaningful, fulfilling lifestyle is achieved by taking part in various on-site activities and amenities. Plus, with a variety of care levels, your needs will be met now and in the future.