A recent youtube video went viral in which phone call center scammers were delivered revenge in the form of glitter bombs. While fighting scammers with glitter bombs can be fun, it is imperative to also teach potential victims about phone scams. The demographic that is most at risk of these scams are seniors aged 65 and up.
Every year, nearly 5 million seniors fall prey to fraud. At the top of that list is telemarketing.
Whether you are a caregiver in Los Angeles or home health aide in south Florida, it is imperative to teach your elderly individual about the danger of scam calls.
Prepare your senior for scam calls.
One of the best ways to ensure that your loved one is not victimized by a phone scammer is to keep them informed of what to look out for. Keep them aware of current scams: such as grandkid schemes, car warranty frauds, and IRS prison sentences
Explain that scammers will often use robotic or pre-recorded messages to hook the victim in. Tell them that the scammer’s goal is to make the individual feel hurried or rushed. Remind them that government agencies and companies often do not yell or pressure you into paying money immediately.
Practice senior phone scam prevention.
To keep scammers away from your loved one’s devices, it’s best to purchase or use some form of blocker. Sign your loved one up for the Do Not Call Registry, which will make any for-profit solicitation illegal. Use a call-blocking app to automatically block a number that is potentially seen as a scam.
Monitor any strange financial activity.
If your loved one falls prey to a scam, there is a way to ensure that they are not further victimized to a loss of funds. This is accomplished through monitoring any financial activity. Be aware of any large withdrawals, unmarked wire transfers, or transactions that seem out of the norm.
Never admonish, try to understand.
If your loved one has fallen prey to a scam, it is not your job to admonish them. Remember, scammers often use shame and guilt based tactics to keep your loved one isolated and occluded in secrecy.
Even if they have their doubts about the legitimacy of the fund transfer, seniors may still feel ashamed to let you know they were scammed. Thus, you should always be understanding and non-reproachful when discussing the scam.
If you are worried about your senior loved one falling for scams, contact a home health aide from Expicare Nursing today.