Seniors are full of wisdom and life experiences that we all can learn from and appreciate. However, individuals and groups have no problem targeting vulnerable seniors using insidious scams. As a caring community, we can do our part to keep seniors more aware of scams and ruthless con artists.
It is crucial to secure and protect one’s quality of life during an adult’s twilight years, enjoy daily living activities, and be supported by family and friends. In addition to ensuring a good quality of life. Seniors may experience long-term isolation, seek new friendships or romance, and adjust to aging which can prove to be challenging and can leave them susceptible to scams.
Stay in Touch
Staying in touch with aging parents, friends, and other beloved relatives is key to reducing the risk of a senior adult falling victim to a scam. Criminally-minded individuals that intentionally target seniors depend on the negligence and indifference of family and community.
Exhibiting Vigilance Online And Being On Guard
People of all ages increasingly rely on technology to stay connected or receive information and services, and it opens seniors to scams and con artists. Online phishing is still an effective method to lure anyone to divulge personal details about their finances, passwords, or social life. Encourage loved ones to only answer emails from people they know and trust.
Scam artists often send emails with messages that tug at the heartstrings, plead for help, ask for money, or use fear tactics. Good-natured older adults may feel moved by an unsolicited email, especially if they feel lonely. Under no circumstance should anyone open an email and give money or personal information if they don’t know who sent the message.
Watch Out For Government Agency Impersonation
Unfortunately, scam artists don’t fear misleading seniors by purposely misrepresenting various agencies established to protect citizens or enforce civilized order. Talk with relatives living in an assisted living community to take caution when answering the phone, responding to letters, or speaking with representatives in person.
Criminals love to pretend that they have been sent from the IRS, Social Security, or another official agency to speak with their intended victim. Without initiating contact, identity thieves and fraudsters will use scare tactics to elicit panic and get seniors to turn over personal information. Remind seniors in assisted living apartments to never divulge their social security, bank account numbers, and other identifying information over the phone.
Take Caution When Making Connections
Being a senior in assisted living homes doesn’t mean connecting to others for platonic reasons, or romance ends. However, seniors using modern apps or local events to meet and greet with potential love matches or friends should stay cautious. Even if a loved one feels they met someone they can trust, the threat of being conned out of money, heirlooms, or information by new acquaintances is real.
Fake Sweepstakes Win Without Ever Entering
When living in a beautiful and historic locale like West Bloomfield Township, MI, desirable locations can attract duplicitous persons who wish to profit off the kindness and generosity of others. It is a ruse if a senior gets a phone call, email, or letter claiming they have won a sweepstake or lottery they never entered. A scammer may request that their victim send in a nominal amount of money to claim winnings or demand they fill out bogus paperwork to defraud them later.
There is no way that someone can win sweepstakes or a surprise gift of money unless they entered on their own accord. Criminals and thieves love to use the art of surprise and the lure of winning money to get seniors to give their money and personal details.
Betrayed Through Altruism And An Open Heart
Because seniors are often open and willing to donate to causes and communities they support, it opens the opportunity for scam artists to take advantage. Under the guise of organizations seeking donors and financial contributions, a criminal can swiftly empty a senior’s bank account or obtain information to open up fraudulent accounts.
Take the time to reach out to loved ones to discuss current events, and extend consul to review any request for donations or support for any group or agency. Seniors who grew up during the Great Depression or wartime understand how much financial aid can help others. However, heartless scam artists will use emotional appeal to bait vulnerable individuals to give to a false cause for personal profit.
About
Towne Hall Place provides upscale assisted living for seniors, securely nestled inside West Bloomfield Township’s original historic town hall erected in 1923. Residents can treat themselves to spa treatments, daily outings, or enjoy the finest of chef-prepared meals. The community offers generous amenities, spacious apartments, and picturesque views to live life like it’s golden.
