Scams are a highly unfortunate aspect of modern life conducted by some truly shameless characters. What’s even more unfortunate is the way these creeps regularly target the elderly. They come in a range of forms, from email investments to phishing, reverse mortgages and more.
If you have an elderly loved one that has ever fallen victim to a scam then you will know just how troubling it can be. It’s a violation to their independence and an insult to one of the people you love most in life!
No one wants their elderly loved one to fall victim to such an unpleasant experience, and this is why it’s important to follow these helpful tips on how to prevent an elderly loved one from being scammed:
Table of Contents
Eleven tips to protect from scammers
Be vigilant
The most reputable aged care in Wollongong will always tell families to be suspicious of scammers trying to rip off their loved ones. Be highly suspicious if your loved one speaks of receiving any cold calls or unsolicited emails or letters that promise financial rewards. These typically are not your regular marketing ploy and are likely designed to scam people and especially the elderly.
Inform your loved one about scams
It doesn’t have to be a routine class – just a one-off time when you provide them with information about the different scams that are occurring. Discuss the warning signs to look out for and especially those related to online scams.
Research any suspicious businesses
Do your research if your loved one speaks about a “business” approaching them for any financial reasons. Look up their address, details and website to see if they do actually exist. But regardless of whether they do or not they still shouldn’t be approaching your elderly loved one with financial ideas!
Keep in contact
Keep in regular contact with your elderly loved one. We should all do this anyway because we love them, but it’s also a great way to stay on top of any potentially unscrupulous occurrences happening in their lives.
Remind them not to give out information online
The bank will never request your password. Therefore, it’s important to remind them to never give out this kind of information online.
Think before acting
Speak with your loved one about not making rushed financial decisions in the online arena. Remind them to consider the situation before acting out of good intentions.
Only buy from reputable websites
Google is pretty good at weeding out dodgy websites – but they still sneak through on the odd occasion! Therefore, it’s important to remind your loved one not to buy from any low-quality websites.
Invest wisely
Remind your loved one to never simply invest in something because it offers some kind of financial gain. They should always check with a financial advisor or other trusted party before making any investment.
Report any scams
A loved one being scammed is a highly stressful situation we all want to avoid, it will undermine the health. Unfortunately, it still happens, and it’s imperative to report it to the police if it ever happens to your beloved mum or dad!
Help them with their accounts
If you have some kind of access to your loved one’s accounts then it is imperative that you keep an eye out for any suspicious transactions or withdrawals that have taken place. If so, it’s important to speak to your loved one about what has transpired.
Caller ID for added security
Caller ID and call blocking are two fantastic protections against scams. Show your loved one how to use vital function to prevent repeated scam calls, how to use to use the technology tricks.