4 Things Seniors Can Do To Protect From Scams
Nearly 100,000 seniors fall victim to scams every year. Those are just the seniors that report their losses, so that number could be much higher. And billions of dollars are lost each year to scammers.
Criminals are constantly finding new ways to scam seniors. They also improve existing scams and adapt new technology to help them defraud seniors. Even seniors who are very savvy about scams and take steps to protect themselves can be victims of scammers. Anyone can be.
But there are things that can help seniors protect themselves and their money from scams. Even though the types of scams used against seniors change often, seniors can protect themselves. Seniors should always do these things to lower the risk of being a victim of a scam:
Get Senior Home Care
Sometimes just knowing that a senior isn’t alone can be enough to stop a scammer. Seniors with senior home care can have their care provider answer the phone or the door. Caregivers can help seniors spot scammers by recognizing scams when they hear them. But they can also protect seniors just by being there. Seniors who aren’t alone are less likely to be targeted by scammers.
Use A Prepaid Debit Card For Online Shopping
There is a lot of fraud occurring when seniors use credit cards or debit cards to shop online. One popular scam involves scammers setting up a dummy website that looks exactly like a reputable store website. When seniors shop on that site they don’t notice that the site is fake. Scammers are able to get their credit card information and other identifying details like their address. They can use that information to steal money, open credit cards, and get access to a senior’s bank accounts.
To avoid this kind of disaster seniors should always use a prepaid debit card to shop online. There is no link back to any bank accounts. And once the money that is preloaded on the card is gone there is nothing left to take. Prepaid debit cards are available from any bank.
Never Click On Links
Phishing scams never stop. They just get more sophisticated. To stay safe seniors should never click on links in emails or texts from any business. The bank or credit card company will not text you a link to your accounts. They also won’t email you any links. Always call the number on the bank of the debit or credit card directly. Don’t click on any links.
Never Send Money To Anyone
Seniors shouldn’t send money online or through an app like Zelle. If someone asks for money that the senior doesn’t know they should never send it. Seniors can offer to loan the person cash in person if they meet at the police station or bank. But no one in your senior parent’s life that they know would ask for money on Facebook, social media, or through text messages.
If you or someone you know needs help with senior home care in East Grand Rapids, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
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