Beware Scams and Fraud Attempts

Jun 7, 2023
6 min read

Advice and education for families of seniors and vulnerable persons in Fairway Springs.

I've been receiving a lot of fraudulent email and scam phone calls recently and it's likely you and your family members have too. I wanted to put something together to provide a guide to how some of these scams and frauds are executed and to enable you to protect yourself and your family.

In today's digital age, scams and fraud have become increasingly prevalent, targeting vulnerable individuals, including seniors. Scammers use various tactics to deceive and exploit their victims, causing financial and emotional distress. To empower seniors and vulnerable people, we have compiled a guide to help them, and you, recognize and avoid common scam and fraud approaches. By staying informed and adopting preventive measures, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from falling victim to these deceitful practices.

Phone and Email Scams: Phone and email scams are among the most common approaches used by fraudsters. The FCC has a list here: FCC Scams & Frauds. Pay particular attention to:
Investment and Financial Scams: Investment scams specifically target seniors' retirement savings and financial stability. Some fraudsters offer to help you make money through real estate investment seminars and coaching programs. Their typical pitch is that you can make a fortune by using their “proven” and “risk-free” strategies. They might even use fake testimonials and reviews to earn your trust. Of course, their phony offers will require you to make some kind of investment.
Romance Scams: Romance scams prey on individuals seeking companionship or love. These types of scams typically take place online. A con artist will assume a fake identity and reach out to you through a dating app or social media. Then, the trickster begins to build rapport with you, sharing fictional details about their situation and asking questions about your life. They'll pretend to share common interests with you to further build trust. If you suggest meeting in person, the con artist will likely offer an excuse, such as being out of town. At some point during your interactions, they will find a way to ask for financial aid. They might say they're experiencing a health emergency or some other type of crisis.
Tech Support Scams: Tech support scammers target individuals and try to pull in people with deceptive phone calls, emails, text messages, or online pop-up windows, claiming to be from reputable tech companies. They'll tell you there's a security flaw or some sort of problem with your computer and offer to help you fix it. Then, they'll ask you to send them personal information, payments, or grant them remote access to your computer.
Grandparent scams: Some swindlers take a more personal approach and pose as your grandchildren or other family members. They often call their targets and ask for financial assistance to get out of dire situations such as legal trouble. These scammers research their targets, so they're able to use family names and personal information to earn your trust.
Government impersonation schemes: Some fraudsters pretend to represent government agencies such as Medicare, the IRS, or the Social Security Administration (SSA). They reach out via phone calls, emails, or text messages that claim you owe the government money or need to offer personal information. These con artists might use threats of fines or jail time to compel you to take immediate action.
Fake prize scams: Scammers may contact you and claim that you've won a prize in a contest or lottery. They'll say you need to provide personal information or send money to cover the cost of “shipping.” Sometimes these scammers even send you a fake check and request that you send funds back to them.
Home repair fraud: These swindlers come to your home or call to offer repair services, such as new window installation or a bathroom renovation. In some cases, they ask for upfront payment or try to lure you into signing a loan that's part of the scheme. Once they've secured payment, they leave without actually doing any work.
Caregiver financial elder fraud: Not all swindlers are strangers. Sometimes trusted family members or caregivers find ways to financially exploit older individuals. These might involve anything from taking cash directly from your purse to asking you for money to cover fictional expenses.

Identifying commons signs of scams

Many of the elder fraud schemes listed above share common traits. Here are some red flags to help you spot fraudulent activity:

You receive unusual and unsolicited correspondence from a known organization. Some scammers try to earn your trust by posing as entities you're already familiar with, including government services and well-known businesses. Online, they may send emails that seem legitimate and direct you to websites that mimic official websites. When they call you, their real names or numbers may not show up on your caller ID.

You win a contest you didn't enter. Perhaps you received a message saying you're “today's lucky winner.” Did you enter a contest recently? Did anyone enter a contest or sweepstakes on your behalf? If not, you're likely dealing with a con artist. If the situation seems too good to be true, take a moment to question its legitimacy.

You're told there's a problem with your account. Online scammers often send emails saying that you need to verify information or correct a problem with an account. Ask yourself, “Is there any reason to believe this is true?” Note that these deceptive messages often include obvious spelling or grammatical errors.

You feel pressured to take action immediately. Swindlers of all types try to get your money and information before you have time to think critically. Government impersonators will threaten you with impending legal action. Fraudsters who impersonate your grandchildren will emphasize that they need money as soon as possible. Business and investment con artists will tell you that their deal is about to expire.

You're given oddly specific instructions on payment. Fraudsters might ask you to pay them with a gift card, to wire them money, or to use some other non-negotiable method. Most legitimate entities offer multiple ways to pay an outstanding debt or make a purchase.

You're asked to keep secrets. A romance con artist might ask you to keep your relationship with them a secret. Someone impersonating your grandchild might ask you not to tell their parents. Their goal is to prevent you from reaching out to someone who can expose their tricks.

Here are some other tips to avoid potential fraudsters online, over the phone, or in person:

Avoiding online scams

Don't click on suspicious links or attachments in emails or text messages.
Make sure your security software is updated.
Never wire money to someone you haven't met, even after building a rapport online.
Be wary of online acquaintances who are quick to profess their love or ask you to keep the relationship a secret.
Check domain names closely. Scammers may use website names that are slightly different from genuine sites.
Keep in mind that government agencies like the IRS won't initiate contact with you by email, social media, or text.
Consider making your social media accounts private, so only friends can see your information. If your accounts are public, avoid posting personal information.
If you're not sure if an online message is actually from a business, such as a bank, consider calling their official number or visiting a local branch.

Avoiding phone scams

If someone pressures you to make a sudden payment over the phone, tell them you need time to think about it and will respond later.
If the potential con artist is claiming to be a family member, get in contact with other relatives or close friends. They can help you verify whether the story is true.
Don't assume the caller ID is correct. Some scammers can spoof real numbers to deceive you.
Ignore unsolicited calls or emails that say you've won a prize but need to provide personal information first.
Don't offer personal information, such as your social security number or bank account number, over the phone or in an email.
Be wary of messages that ask you to pay for something by putting money on a gift card.

Avoiding in-person scams

Don't let strangers into your home, especially if you're alone.
Don't leave your valuables in plain sight.
If someone visits your home and claims to be representing a business, ask for their contact information. Let them know you'll research their offer later.
Never sign a check and leave the amount payable blank.
Be skeptical of unsolicited calls or emails claiming to be from government agencies, financial institutions, or well-known companies.
Never disclose personal information such as social security numbers, bank account details, or passwords over the phone or email.
Be cautious of urgent or threatening language used by scammers to manipulate you into acting impulsively.
Verify the legitimacy of the caller or email sender independently by contacting the organization directly using their official contact information.

Preventing scams and fraud requires awareness, skepticism, and a proactive approach. By educating ourselves and our loved ones about the common scam and fraud tactics, we can help seniors and vulnerable individuals stay safe. Encourage open conversations and empower others to report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities. Together, we can create a safer environment for everyone, free from the perils of scams and fraud.

Help for Victims of Elder Abuse in Florida

There are several resources available to victims of elder abuse. The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) division of Adult Protective Services exists to help vulnerable adults who may be suffering from elder abuse. They can help investigate and assist with immediate steps to protect seniors who are victims of elder abuse and seniors who are likely to become victims of elder abuse.

I hope this article helps you and enables you to be wiser and more protected from the predators seeking to separate you from your money.