As the senior population in the USA continues to grow, so does their vulnerability to a range of increasingly sophisticated scams. From fake calls claiming to be from the IRS to online romance frauds, scammers are targeting older adults with a variety of tactics designed to steal money and personal information.
With over thirty years of experience, Princella Seymour, Founder of Complete Elder Solutions, has established herself as a leading expert in guiding the aging community.
“Empowering seniors with knowledge and awareness is critical in today’s landscape of increasingly sophisticated scams. Many older adults are genuinely unaware of the tactics scammers use or how to recognize the warning signs. By educating them proactively, we can help safeguard their financial well-being and preserve their peace of mind”, says Princella Seymour, Founder of Complete Elder Solutions.
Princella shares the common types of scams to look out for:
- Phishing Scams: Fraudulent emails or messages pretending to be from banks, government agencies, or known contacts to steal personal information or money.
- Prize and Sweepstakes Scams: Claims that they’ve won a lottery or prize requiring payment of fees to claim winnings.
- Grandparent Scams: Scammers posing as grandchildren or relatives in emergency situations, requesting money.
- IRS or Tax Scams: Fake calls or letters claiming they owe taxes or legal action is being taken against them.
- Health and Medical Scams: Offers for fake vaccines, supplements, or medical devices.
- Tech Support Scams: Callers pretending to be tech support from reputable companies, asking for access to devices.
- Romance Scams: Online dating or social media scams involving fake romantic interests.
How to Avoid These Scams & Telltale Signs:
- Be Skeptical of Unexpected Contacts: Never give out personal or financial information over the phone, email, or online unless verifying the identity of the requester.
- Verify Identities: Contact companies or government agencies directly using official contact information.
- Avoid Paying Upfront Fees: Legitimate prizes or government benefits don’t require payment before receipt.
- Watch for Urgency or Pressure Tactics: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to rush decisions.
- Be cautious with personal information: Protect your Social Security number and banking details.
- Use Security Software & Strong Passwords: Protect devices and accounts.
- Educate Yourself & Family: Stay informed about common scams and discuss them with trusted family members.
Princella encourages seniors to talk openly about any suspicious contacts and to consult trusted family members or advisors before taking action.
