Avoiding Common Scams & Identity Theft Aimed at Seniors

As technology advances, criminals continue to adapt their tactics to defraud individuals, especially older adults. Understanding common scams and how to protect yourself can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to fraud. Scammers increasingly target seniors, using clever tactics to exploit their trust and potential vulnerability.

How Scammers Target Seniors

Fraudsters often seek out seniors due to factors like isolation, a lack of familiarity with technology, and a lifetime of accumulated assets. The FBI’s Common Frauds and Scams highlights some of the most common scams aimed at seniors, such as identity theft, lottery fraud, and fake investment opportunities.

Scammers may use phone calls, emails or websites to trick seniors into providing sensitive personal information or making fraudulent payments.

Common Scams to Watch Out For:

1. Identity Theft: Cybercriminals can steal personal information through phishing emails, fraudulent websites or even data breaches. Once they have your details, they can open credit accounts, steal funds, or commit other forms of fraud.
2. Lottery & Sweepstakes Scams: Scammers may claim that seniors have won large prizes but require a fee or personal information before they can “claim” the winnings. Remember—if you didn’t enter, you didn’t win.
3. Investment Frauds: Fraudulent investment opportunities often target seniors who may be looking for secure, low-risk investments. These scams often claim to offer substantial returns with minimal or no risk involved.
4. Fake Health Plans: Scammers target seniors by offering fake health insurance plans, often presenting them as affordable alternatives to legitimate options. These scams might claim to cover medical services but provide no actual benefits.

Holiday Scams: A Seasonal Threat

The holiday season brings joy and generosity but also heightened risks of scams targeting seniors. Fraudsters exploit the busy season, preying on trust, kindness, and a sense of urgency to steal money or personal information. Common holiday scams include:

• Fake Gift Card Requests: Scammers impersonate friends, family members or trusted organizations, claiming emergencies and requesting payment via gift cards. Once the card details are shared, the funds are unrecoverable.
• Bogus Vacation Deals: Attractive holiday travel deals often mask scams, requiring up-front payments for trips that are nonexistent or significantly misrepresented.
• Phishing Holiday Deals: Fraudsters send fake emails or texts advertising unbelievable holiday discounts, directing victims to fraudulent websites designed to steal credit card information or personal data.
• Charity Scams: During the season of giving, scammers pose as legitimate charities or create fake organizations to solicit donations, often preying on seniors’ compassion.
• Delivery Scams: Scammers send fake package delivery notices, often via email or text, containing links that install malware or steal personal information.

Seniors may be particularly susceptible to these scams, which exploit holiday cheer, urgency or excitement.

Safety Tips to Protect Yourself

Scammers use increasingly sophisticated methods to target seniors, making it vital to stay informed and cautious. Protecting yourself from fraud requires vigilance and proactive measures. Here’s how you can safeguard your personal information and finances:

• Verify Offers: Before acting on an offer, take time to confirm its legitimacy. Be wary of unexpected prize notifications, investment opportunities or requests for money. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Research companies, contact organizations directly, and cross-check claims with trusted sources.
• Guard Your Personal Information: Avoid sharing sensitive information, such as your Social Security number, passwords, or financial details, over the phone, via email, or on websites you don’t recognize. Scammers often pose as trusted entities to trick victims into revealing personal data.
• Use Trusted Websites: When shopping or donating online, ensure the website is secure. Look for a padlock symbol in the browser bar and confirm the web address starts with “https://” If you receive a link from an unknown sender in your email or via text message, delete it. You can visit the websites directly on your browser.
• Don’t Be Pressured: Scammers thrive on creating a sense of urgency, often claiming immediate action is required. Whether it’s a “limited-time offer” or an alleged emergency, take your time to evaluate the situation. Talk to family members, close friends or an advisor before making any decisions.
• Report Fraud: If you suspect a scam, report it as soon as possible. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and local law enforcement agencies are valuable resources for combating fraud. Reporting not only helps protect you but also prevents others from becoming victims.

By staying vigilant, verifying offers, and taking time to assess situations, you can avoid falling victim to scams. Remember, being informed and proactive is your best defense against fraudulent schemes.

How Waterstone Supports Seniors

At Waterstone Senior Living, we are dedicated to empowering seniors and their families by providing essential resources to navigate the challenges of today’s modern world. Education is at the heart of our philosophy; we help seniors recognize common fraud tactics, stay vigilant against evolving threats, and take proactive steps to protect their personal information.

Through workshops, informational sessions, and one-on-one guidance, we equip seniors and their loved ones with the tools they need to confidently safeguard against fraud. Whether  understanding phishing scams, avoiding fake health plans or protecting online accounts, we’re here to help.

We’re committed to supporting and educating seniors and their families about the latest scams and offering practical tips to ensure their safety. Find the closest community to you to learn more about how we provide education and resources on a variety of topics to area seniors.