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PROTECT YOUR PET

There are so many scams out there now taking advantage of seniors and often their lack of knowledge with technology- loneliness and many other reasons..
We really need to keep an eye on them so I put together this article not only to help you but so you can give it to your parents and go over it with them so they know what to watch out for!

The Top 5 Scams That Target Seniors and How to Protect Your Loved Ones

As our parents age, they become prime targets for scammers looking to exploit their trust and financial resources. Criminals see seniors as vulnerable due to their polite nature, potential cognitive decline, and unfamiliarity with modern scams. As children of aging parents, it’s our responsibility to help protect them from fraud.

This article outlines the five most common scams that affect seniors and provides actionable ways to safeguard your loved ones.

1. Medicare and Health Insurance Scams

How the Scam Works

Scammers pose as Medicare representatives, insurance companies, or even fake healthcare providers, claiming they need personal information to process new policies, update records, or pay medical bills. Some fraudsters even set up fake clinics, charging Medicare for services that were never provided.

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Unsolicited calls or emails from "Medicare" asking for Social Security or banking details.

• A supposed healthcare provider offering free medical tests in exchange for a Medicare number.

• Bills for medical services your loved one never received.

How to Protect Your Parents:

✅ Remind them that Medicare never calls or emails asking for personal information. They always send official correspondence through mail.
✅ Encourage them to review their Medicare statements. If there are unfamiliar charges, they should contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
✅ Consider a Medicare fraud monitoring service such as Experian IdentityWorks which can track suspicious activity.

2. Grandparent Scams (Emergency Scams)

How the Scam Works

A fraudster calls pretending to be a grandchild in distress, claiming they need money immediately due to an emergency (car accident, jail, medical issue). The scammer begs the grandparent not to tell anyone and wires money before realizing it’s a hoax.

Red Flags to Watch For:

• A distressed caller claiming to be a grandchild but refusing to answer identifying questions.

• An urgent request to send money via wire transfer, prepaid gift cards, or cryptocurrency.

• The caller insists, "Don't tell mom and dad!"

How to Protect Your Parents:

✅ Create a family password. If a grandchild is truly in trouble, they can use the password to verify their identity.
✅ Advise them to hang up and call the grandchild directly. Scammers use social media to gather information, making their stories seem convincing.
✅ Encourage the use of a call blocker like Nomorobo to filter out scam calls.

3. Romance Scams

How the Scam Works

Many seniors, especially widowed or divorced individuals, seek companionship online. Scammers create fake profiles on dating sites, social media, or chat rooms, pretending to be interested in a romantic relationship. Once trust is established, they fabricate an emergency and ask for money.

Red Flags to Watch For:

• The person moves too fast, declaring love early in the relationship.

• They avoid video calls and always have an excuse for not meeting in person.

• They claim to be overseas (military, contractors, or international business) and need financial help for an emergency.

How to Protect Your Parents:

✅ Educate them on online dating scams. If they meet someone online, they should never send money or gifts.
✅ Use a reverse image search on Google to see if their supposed love interest’s photo is stolen from another profile.
✅ Suggest a background check service like BeenVerified to verify someone’s identity.

4. Tech Support Scams

How the Scam Works

A scammer calls pretending to be from Microsoft, Apple, or another tech company, claiming the senior’s computer has a virus. They request remote access to "fix" the issue but actually steal sensitive data or install malware. Others use fake pop-ups warning of a virus, tricking users into calling a fraudulent tech support line.

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Unsolicited calls from "tech support" claiming there’s a problem with a device.

• A pop-up message demanding immediate action, often with a phone number to call.

• Requests to install remote-access software like TeamViewer or AnyDesk.

How to Protect Your Parents:

✅ Teach them that real tech companies never call unsolicited.
✅ If they receive a suspicious pop-up, they should close the browser and run a legitimate antivirus scan.
✅ Consider identity theft protection like Aura to safeguard personal and financial information.

5. Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams

How the Scam Works

Scammers inform seniors they've won a large prize (cash, car, vacation) but must pay taxes or fees upfront to claim it. Victims are pressured to send money via wire transfers, gift cards, or prepaid debit cards.

Red Flags to Watch For:

• A call or email stating, "You’ve won!"—even if they never entered a contest.

• Requests for upfront payments to receive the prize.

• Promises that their "winnings" will be delivered in person if they pay first.

How to Protect Your Parents:

✅ Remind them that legitimate sweepstakes never require payment to claim a prize.
✅ Encourage them to ignore calls, emails, or letters claiming they’ve won something they never signed up for.
✅ Install scam call-blocking software like Robokiller to filter out fraudsters.

How You Can Help Protect Your Parents

1. Keep the Communication Open

Talk to your parents regularly about scams. Let them know they can always check with you before making financial decisions.

2. Monitor Their Financial Activity

Set up alerts on their bank accounts for large withdrawals or unfamiliar transactions. Services like LifeLock provide fraud detection and credit monitoring.

3. Encourage a "Trust but Verify" Mindset

Teach them to be skeptical of unsolicited calls, emails, and offers that sound too good to be true. A simple rule: "If it sounds urgent, it’s probably a scam."

4. Report Scams Immediately

If your parent falls victim to a scam, report it to:

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): https://reportfraud.ftc.gov

• AARP Fraud Watch Network: https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/

• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): https://www.ic3.gov

Final Thoughts

Seniors are prime targets for scammers, but with vigilance and the right precautions, you can help protect your parents from financial and emotional harm. By educating them on common fraud tactics and setting up safeguards, you can give them the confidence to recognize scams and avoid becoming victims.

If you're looking for extra protection, consider using identity monitoring and scam prevention services like Aura or LifeLock to keep your loved ones safe.

By staying informed and proactive, you can ensure that your parents enjoy their golden years without the fear of falling prey to fraud.

If you are in this situation I think you will enjoy it!

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