Avoiding scams is crucial to protect elderly individuals from financial exploitation and emotional distress. Seniors can be vulnerable targets for scammers due to their trust and limited familiarity with digital technologies. Following are tips to help everyone steer clear of scams.
- Be skeptical: Maintain a healthy level of skepticism when approached by strangers, whether in person, on the phone, or online. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Verify identities: Never provide personal or financial information to unsolicited callers or visitors. Ask for their name, organization, and a call-back number, then independently verify their legitimacy.
- Consult a trusted source: When in doubt, consult a trusted family member, friend, or professional advisor before making any financial decisions.
- Protect personal information: Seniors should guard their personal and financial information, including social security numbers, bank account details, and passwords. Shred sensitive documents and secure personal files.
- Stay informed: Educate yourself and your loved ones about common scams targeting seniors, such as lottery scams, telemarketing fraud, and identity theft.
- Register for “Do Not Call” lists: Sign up for national and state “Do Not Call” registries to reduce the number of unsolicited calls from telemarketers.
- Secure digital presence: Install reputable security software on computers and mobile devices to protect against online threats like phishing and malware.
- Seek assistance: If you believe you have fallen victim to a scam, immediately report it to local law enforcement, your bank, and organizations like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
By following these steps and staying vigilant, seniors can minimize their risk of falling victim to scams, ensuring their financial and emotional well-being is protected.
