{"id":23165,"date":"2020-07-07T11:06:53","date_gmt":"2020-07-07T19:06:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spokeo.com\/compass\/?p=23165"},"modified":"2022-04-13T12:23:53","modified_gmt":"2022-04-13T20:23:53","slug":"senior-scam-what-to-do-if-an-elderly-parent-is-being-scammed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spokeo.com\/compass\/senior-scam-what-to-do-if-an-elderly-parent-is-being-scammed\/","title":{"rendered":"Senior Scam: How to Protect Your Loved Ones from Being Taken Advantage of"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The cost is a staggering $3 billion annually<\/a>.  No, it\u2019s not the latest government bailout; rather it\u2019s the harsh truth about senior scams.  If history is any indication, 1 in every 10 Americans age 65 or older<\/a> will likely be scammed this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you do if you think your elderly parent is at risk for being scammed?  First, let\u2019s take a look at some of the more prevalent schemes so you can be on the lookout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senior Scams: Let Me Count the Ways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How many types of elderly scams<\/a> are out there?  The criminal mind is a fertile one, and so unfortunately there are quite a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IRS Scams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fake IRS calls comprise the majority of elderly phone scams<\/a>.  The caller informs the unsuspecting elder that taxes have not been paid, threatening them<\/a> with imprisonment or exorbitant fees if the past-due amount is not immediately submitted.  These calls are demanding, if not ominous \u2014 which, prevailing tropes aside, is not how the agency handles such matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social Security Scams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The latest Social Security scam<\/a> involves sending fake documents through email.  The cover letter explains that there is a problem with the Social Security number, the account or the benefits.  The letter may threaten arrest or perhaps offer to increase benefits or solve a problem with the account.  Of course, payment is demanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robocalls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Robocalls are becoming increasingly sophisticated<\/a>, even displaying an official agency name on the victim\u2019s caller ID.  These calls are often aided by information the senior has made publicly available through social media accounts.  This may include pictures of identification cards, airplane or event tickets, and home photos.  Any of these things may reveal personally identifying information<\/a>, such as numbers or bar codes, that puts the elder at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Who wouldn\u2019t be thrilled to hear that they\u2019ve won a cash prize, a fantasy trip or a brand-new car?  The catch is that there is a fee that must be paid before you can collect your winnings.  This scam is perpetrated by phone, email, text message, social media and mail.  Seniors may also be asked to share personal information<\/a> which allows the criminal to tap into their accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Computer Tech-Support Scams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is a serious problem with your computer<\/a>.\u201d  Or so the scammer would have the elder believe.  This scam can come through a pop-up on the computer screen or arrive unsolicited via a phone call from a familiar-sounding company.  The scammer asks for remote access and then charges the victim for fixing a problem that doesn\u2019t actually exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medicare Scams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common Medicare schemes<\/a> is a call to verify that the senior has received a new card as well as a request to return the old one.  Scams also include calls for the sale of supplemental plans and insurance, as well as offers of free genetic testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Identity Theft<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the most insidious of all scams are those that result in identity theft.  Identity theft happens when a senior inadvertently gives out private information, such as a Social Security number or birth date, and ends up living a nightmare.  Identity theft can drain life savings, max out credit cards and even result in fraudulent insurance claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Red Flags for Elderly Scams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are usually red flags that signal that the communication is not legitimate<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n