Senior Citizens and Fraud

BY ABIGAIL MCCLOSKEY

Americans always seem to come together, and see the best of each other during tough times. Unfortunately, it’s also when criminals see their chance to pounce on the most vulnerable. Many of us are sitting at home, trying to work, manage kids, and adjust to a new normal that we are all hoping only lasts a short time. I’d like you to add one more thing to your to-do list, and it’s an important thing. Call your parents. Call your grandparents. Call your elderly neighbor. If you do not, someone else will.

Someone pretending to be the electric company, the IRS, Social Security, or another important resource may reach out to them. They will make them panic, tell them their power will be turned off, their taxes aren’t paid, and there is a warrant out for their arrest, or that their Social Security benefits are going to stop.

While some of the scams may seem obvious to you, never underestimate how someone makes decisions when they are backed into a corner. If that Social Security check is your lifeline, the only way you can buy food, what would you do to make sure it is sent? Logic and reason go out the window when panic sets in.

When you make these calls to your senior loved ones, you don’t need to scare them, or give them a lengthy to do list. Give them a story as a cautionary tale, let them know they will never need to take immediate action (as the scammer indicates) and tell them not to ever give information, or even say their name on the phone. Be a lifeline, tell them to let you know if they get a call, and that you’ll help them figure out whether or not it was legitimate.

An hour out of your life, making these calls, could prevent permanent financial hardship, should they fall prey to a scam.