While playing cards with a group of friends recently, a text popped up in my messages. As I quickly scanned it, my mind focused on the threat of suspension of my driver’s license, revocation of my car registration and legal proceedings. Evidently, my expression showed puzzlement, and my friends asked what was troubling me. I began to read the text to them and as if one person they all exclaimed, “Scam!”
“But,” I replied, “it’s got a State of Maine .gov heading. It looks real!”
“Scam!”
It took me a minute to get past the threats of losing my license and car registration to realize all of the red flags for a scam were there:
1. A text instead of a letter.
2. A phone number with an out-of-state area code.
3. Threats.
4. Pressure to act immediately.
5. Incorrect title — Maine has a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), not a bureau.
6. A link where I could use my credit card.
Additionally, I have an E-ZPass, and tolls are automatically deducted from my account each month.
At BoomerTECH Adventures, we have written extensively about scams. One would think I would not have been fooled for a moment. However, whether I was tired or my mind was elsewhere or I lapsed into gullibility, I was almost taken in by this scam.
I went online to double check, and sure enough, the Maine secretary of state had listed a warning on the website.
Older adults are often targeted by scammers because of retirement accounts. Also, seniors tend to be more trusting and often respond to requests from authority figures like the government. Finally, scammers count on social isolation to make older adults more vulnerable to scams.
Here are several recent scams that target older citizens:
1. In the grandparent scam, a grandparent receives a telephone call or text from a beloved grandchild asking for money because they are in some sort of trouble. It may be a traffic accident, an illness or being stranded somewhere without resources. What is scary is that voice cloning has become so sophisticated that the voice on the other end sounds exactly like the grandchild.
2. An offer of tech support pops up on your device’s screen. You are warned that your device is infected with a virus, and dire consequences will result if you don’t click on the link provided. The message appears to be from a reputable company like Microsoft or Apple.
3. Financial hoaxes abound. You may be told that your account has been compromised or that you have an unpaid bill. Links appear for you to pay up or switch your money to a government-secured account.
4. Dating scammers prey on people’s loneliness. In a connection made through a dating app, the targeted victim meets someone online who seems to share similar interests and views. The online relationship builds until eventually a plea for money to address an unforeseen emergency arises.
5. An ingrained need to respond to authority figures like the IRS or court system or other government agency is another tactic of scammers. My knee-jerk reaction to the text threatening to suspend my driver’s license is a prime example.
There are several red flags that can alert you to a scam (AI overview):
1. Urgency and pressure: Scammers create a false sense of emergency, threatening arrest, legal action or account suspension to force quick, irrational decisions.
2. Unusual payment methods: Requests to pay via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers or payment apps (e.g., Zelle, Venmo) are major red flags.
3. Unexpected contact and verification requests: Unsolicited calls, emails or texts asking for passwords, PINs or sensitive information.
4. “Too good to be true” offers: Promises of prizes from contests never entered, high-return investments with little risk or large inheritances.
5. Impersonation: Scammers pretend to be government officials, bank employees or tech support, often using spoofed phone numbers or email addresses.
6. Requests for remote access: Asking for control of your computer to “fix” a problem.
7. Unsolicited job offers: Asking for upfront payments or to deposit checks for employment.
Unfortunately for the public, scammers have become very sophisticated. Websites look authentic, voices sound real, realistic images can be generated by AI, requests seem reasonable and so on. Our natural instinct is to tap the link to solve the problem. What we need to do is stop and inspect the message (email, text, phone, popup on our device) for the warning signs of a scam and do a little research. A simple internet search like “overdue toll payment + scam” will quickly turn up information that identifies a scam for what it is.
In our fast-paced world where instant access is ubiquitous, let’s slow down and be savvy about unsolicited communications. Double and triple check on authenticity before clicking on any link.
BoomerTECH Adventures (boomertechadventures.com) helps boomers and older adults navigate the digital world with confidence and competence. Active boomers themselves, they use their backgrounds as Maine teachers to support individuals and groups with online courses through Maine Adult Education (tinyurl.com/BTAclasses) articles, videos and presentations to organizations upon request.
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