Four Guidelines To Avoid Phone Scams For Seniors
The need to learn how to avoid phone scams for seniors is becoming more vital everyday.
Seniors have a higher level of trust than younger people. This is one of the most charming traits about them. Regrettably, it’s also one of the traits that scammers seek for when deciding who to deceive (or attempt to defraud). According to some estimates, elder fraud affects as many as 5 million senior citizens in the United States each year.
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People raised between 1930 and 1950 were often taught to trust others and to be courteous at all times. When scammers pick their next prospective victims, they hunt for those characteristics. Younger folks are less likely than older adults to say “no” to a con artist. Furthermore, older persons are more likely to have a retirement fund or other form of savings. Criminals are hoping to get their hands on that money. To reach their eventual purpose, they may even appear sympathetic or pleasant.
Four Guidelines To Avoid Phone Scams For Seniors
Here are four guidelines from Care At Heart, LLC to assist your seniors stay safe when dealing with phone scammers.
1. Seniors Should Avoid Suspicious Phone Calls
Declining unsolicited calls from unknown numbers is one of the easiest methods to avoid phone scams. Assume the phone call is from a respectable company or individual. They will very certainly leave a message in that scenario (but scammers may also leave messages, so be cautious!)
When you’re listening to a voicemail, it’s easier to think critically than when you’re talking to someone on the phone. Unfortunately, if a fraudster realizes you’re paying attention, they can use charm or threats to persuade you to fall for their con.’
People’s Opinion: Is it safe to listen to a voicemail from someone I don’t know?
2. Seniors Should Maintain Skepticism To Avoid Scammed
Being suspicious is incredibly crucial these days. Many fraudsters have advanced to the point where they may claim to be from the government, a bank, or another reputable agency. Talk to someone you trust and know before giving out any personal information to someone pretending to be from such an organization.
Don’t give in if the person on the other end of the line is pressuring you to pay money or provide personal information right away. The caller will understand why you want to hang up and call the organization again using a publicly known phone number if there is a legitimate concern.
3. Seniors Should Never Give Personal Information Over The Phone.
If someone claiming to be from your bank or the government phones and asks for your banking information, credit card number, Medicare information, or any other sensitive information, politely decline. Explain that you never give out personal information over the phone and that the request must be made in writing. Explain that they should already have your address if they ask for it. If you don’t hand up any personal information over the phone, scammers will most likely move on to an easier victim.
4. Don’t Return One-Ring Phone Calls
Scammers have been known to call numbers and then hang up after a single ring. Calling those numbers back is not a good idea. They could be a ruse to encourage you to phone hotlines that charge you a lot of money per minute.
These suggestions will help you and your seniors avoid phone scams. To avoid being a victim of a phone scam, you must maintain constant attention.