“Merry Christmas little fella. We know that you’re in there and that you’re all alone.” The crooks are plentiful and eager to capitalize on the loneliness of seniors, among other vulnerabilities.
The holiday season is soon upon us. It is a time of celebration and giving for most but beware of the takers. Online and other scams increase during the holiday season and many of these schemes target seniors. How can you identify and avoid senior scams?
Fake online stores – Watch out for online stores that are either fake or closely resemble a legitimate store/brand. If the price for a sought-after item is really low, it is too good to be true.
Gift card scams – These scams trick individuals to purchase fake gift cards or to use valid gift cards to pay for fraudulent goods or services. Make sure that you purchase gift cards from a reputable dealer. Online stores may advertise gift cards at a steep discount, and you may receive a gift card with no value. If you purchase gift cards in person, do not be upset when a cashier asks you the purpose of your purchase of multiple gift cards.
Phishing emails or text messages – If you receive a message from your bank or your credit card company that your account has been compromised, do not click on the link provided which prompts you to log into your account. Once you do this, the scammers have your personal information. Go to the main website of your bank or credit card company and log into your account or call the bank or your credit card company using the number on your bank statement or on the back of your credit card.
Tax relief services call, a/k/a government impersonator – “It looks like you still have some back taxes. I’m calling because you’re eligible to apply to have them eliminated through the total tax forgiveness program, but we need to enroll you now.” Of course, they will want your confidential information including your date of birth, social security number, address and more in order to enroll you. Do not give this information out over the phone. Remember the IRS will never call you on the phone. You will receive a formal letter in regular mail.
Grandparent scams – You get a call that your grandchild is in trouble and needs money to fix their car or make bail. The call may go like this – “Please don’t tell mom that I have been arrested. I need $1,000.00 for bail wired to this bail bondsperson.” The scammer is counting on the grandparent not being familiar with the grandchild’s voice.
Lottery phone scams – “You’ve won the lottery. We cannot wait to send you a certified check for your winnings, but we need x dollars in order to make sure your winnings get to you safely and are not stolen en route.”
Romance scams – In 2023, Americans lost $652 million in losses tied to romance and confidence scams according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report. In They’re Giving Scammers All Their Money. The Kids Can’t Stop Them, Tara Siegel Bernard details the story of a son who could not stop his father from giving approximately $1 million to scammers, including one posing as a female wrestling star.
Warning signs
Are you noticing sudden changes in your love one’s financial habits? Are they going to the bank more often, or do you see unusual withdrawals of large sums of money by someone accompanying your loved one? Has a name been added to the bank signature card? Have funds disappeared or are valuable possessions no longer displayed in the home? Are bills going unpaid or late notices being received? Are formerly uninvolved relatives now in the picture and claiming rights to possessions and involvement in your loved one’s affairs? Are services being provided that are not necessary? Is there now a mortgage on a previously paid-off home? Have you received notice that you are no longer the agent under your loved one’s Financial Power of Attorney? Did the local bank teller mention that your loved one has been in to the bank with a “new friend”?
Protect Yourself
Do not respond to requests for money, bank account numbers or credit cards. Never give out personal information in a phone call or email. Do not give out your Social Security number. When in doubt, hang up the phone!
Trusted resources
Where do you go to report these types of scams? The Office of Attorney General (OAG) has a Senior Protection Unit which investigates elder scams and financial exploitation. You may contact the OAG by email at seniors@attorneygeneral.gov or by calling the Senior Help Line at 1-866-623-2137. For more on this, view the presentation called Seniors, Scammers, and Scoundrels.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a website where you can report fraud and scams. There is also a listing of frequently asked questions to help educate you. You can also go to your county Area Agency on Aging.
“You guys give up? Or are you thirsty for more?” The scammers are not going to give up as they want more, but you can be vigilant.
