An unfortunate truth about the age we live in is that seniors are often targeted for scams. We all know someone, whether a grandparent, aunt, or friend, who has fallen victim to an online scam. It can be embarrassing for the person who got scammed and can result in the loss of a lot of money. Often times, the scammers seem legitimate and are hard for seniors to detect. It falls on the loved-ones to make sure that seniors are informed and educated on the different scams and tricks people use.
Here are some different ways people try to scam:
Health
- Health insurance scams requesting personal information
- Health insurance scams offering or requesting money
- Medical equipment telemarketing
- Medicare billing calls
- Telemarketers claiming Medicare covers their services or products
- Blank health forms requiring signatures
IRS and Service Provider Scams
- Phone calls supposedly from the IRS requesting information or money
- Tax or service related mail asking for a signature or money besides regular bills
- Offers or winnings for contests or lotteries seniors have not entered
- In-person visits without prior notice from supposed collection agents
- “Bank” or “bank card” requests for personal or financial account information
Digital Scams Targeting Seniors
Many scams that target seniors use digital technology, especially pop-ups or emails, since seniors are less likely to understand what is or isn’t valid online.
Look out for:
- Emails claiming someone is in danger or needs ransom
- Emails that say “RE:” but are not replies to emails seniors have sent
- Emails about goods or services “purchased” that have not been purchased
- Pop-ups that claim ransom or software is needed to unlock the computer
- Offers for tech support or protection software from unfamiliar companies
- Any requests for passwords, personal information like a social security number, or money made by companies seniors do not have an account with
- Emails supposedly from known providers or companies that are not “.com” or that look unprofessional
- Services offered by unknown entities, including “tax accountants” that are unfamiliar
- Offers or winnings emailed or in a pop-up that seniors did not sign up for
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