Understanding Why Older Adults Are Targeted
According to Age UK, “The average age of mail scam victims is 74” and that “£1.2 billion is lost to investment scams in the UK every year, with people aged 65+ particularly likely to be targeted.” Understanding why older people are at a higher risk of falling prey to scammers can help loved ones to ensure that their elderly relatives are protected. Scammers may deliberately target pensioners for several reasons:
- Older people are more likely to live alone
- They may have higher levels of savings
- Possibly less comfortable with technology
- Could live with dementia or cognitive decline
Common Types of Scams Targeting Seniors
Even if they are confident internet users it’s a good idea to remind loved ones to be vigilant. If there’s something they feel is too good to be true, then it probably is! There are various types of frauds that seniors are vulnerable of falling victim to. These include:
QR Code scams
According to Which?magazine, some people are scanning QR codes on websites or in person, believing them to be genuine. “People find they’ve been charged for subscriptions they didn’t sign up for after trying to download apps on their phones, or scan QR codes.”
Home Improvements
“Scammers are targeting vulnerable people with dodgy, non-existent insulation and costly offers,” according to Which? Some people have paid thousands to scammers for spray foam loft insulation that they’ve then had to pay a legitimate company thousands more to remove.
Switchover Scams
“Criminals are using the switchover from analogue to digital telephones to scam vulnerable people,” say Which? Some scammers are using this as an opportunity to call older people and tell them their service will be disconnected if they don’t provide their bank details.
Parcel delivery
Accounting for 49 per cent of scams, fraudsters are “seeking personal information or bank details” when texting about a missed delivery. People are advised never to click a link on a ‘missed delivery’ message, instead to go to the official website of the delivery company.
‘Unusual’ activity
Fraudsters will contact you claiming to be from somewhere official, such as your bank, to warn you about suspicious activity on your account and asking you to transfer money into a ‘safe account’. They can be disarmingly genuine but should always be verified before you act.
Doorstep scams
Which? Tells us that “Nearly a fifth of adults were targeted in a doorstep scam over the last year.” They may claim to be working on a neighbouring property and have leftover materials, or pose “as energy suppliers, security staff and representatives of well-known brands.”
Romance scams
Women over forty are the most likely to fall victim to romance scams, say Age UK. Victims have lost thousands of pounds on average by sending money to someone they meet online. Money shouldn’t be sent to someone you’ve met online, they advise, or bank details shared.
Parking fine
A “text tells you that you must pay a £20 parking fine and says that this is your final notice” says Which? Scammers use fear tactics to get people to click on a link and enter personal financial information into a fraudulent website. Genuine fines are never sent by text though.
Warning Signs of Fraud
Warning signs of fraud can take many forms, but often scammers will use the same kind of tactics to try and extort money from victims. Older people are more likely to be at home and therefore may be more vulnerable to these types of calls. These include:
Putting pressure on someone
Using intimidating language and tone, such as becoming aggressive
Issuing a time limit
Saying the offer will only be available for a short while
Availability
Claiming that only the next few people to sign will get the offer
How to Talk to Loved Ones About Scam Prevention
While it’s important to talk to older relatives about their online and in-person safety, it’s essential not to make them fearful or risk preventing them from wanting to leave the house. This could result in them being even more vulnerable through social isolation or loneliness.
Stressing that ‘if something looks too good to be true, it probably is’, may help them to take five and think about what they’re being told before they act on it. As we age, we may resent what we see as ‘interference’ from loved ones in matters that challenge our independence, but keeping calm and asking them to explain exactly why they’re concerned may keep things cordial.
Practical Ways to Protect Seniors from Scammers
While older generations often wish to believe that everyone in ‘authority’ that they speak to is genuine, that’s exactly what scammers are banking on. By targeting older people who are less likely to question official-sounding phone calls, they may end up with a higher level of success in their fraudulent dealings. Age UKhas the following checklist for people to try and memorise:
- STOP – Never do anything you don’t want to or make any decisions on the spot
- CHECK – Always check their credentials
- ASK – Always ask someone you trust for a second opinion
- MINE – Do not give away personal information
- SHARE – Share your experience with others to lower their risk of being scammed
What Do I Do If a Scam Has Already Happened?
If a scam has already happened, it’s vital that it’s reported at the earliest opportunity. There are different organisations that scams should be reported to, depending on what details have been stolen. According to Action Fraud:
If there is a crime being committed right now or if you are in danger you should call the police on 999
If cards, online banking or cheques are involved, contact your bank or credit card company
Report fraud via the online reporting tool, or by calling Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040
Elderly Support Services with Helping Hands
Elderly care from Helping Hands covers both physical and emotional support that enable elderly people to live as well as possible in the home they love. Depending on the complexity of your condition, your care can be led by our nursing specialists who will ensure your carers have all the knowledge and skills necessary.
They’ll undertake jobs in your home such as housework, meal preparation, personal care, mobility support, and medication administration. They’ll also provide essential companionship and help you to get out and about in the area you love. Elderly care can be provided on either a visiting or live-in care basis to suit you.
