The internet, email and many others forms of digital communication and transactions have provided us today with conveniences that were once not conceivable.
But like with any other technological advancement, artificial intelligence being at the forefront today, bad actors and criminals can use it for nefarious and illegal means.
Anyone can be the target of a scam, but senior citizens are arguably a disproportionate target because of their age and relative unfamiliarity with a digital world.
Several organizations that work closely with senior citizens acknowledge that perpetrators continue to target seniors in scams and offer some preventative advice, too.
“Unfortunately, this is happening with a higher frequency than we have seen in the past,” Amy Zorn, executive director of Gates Mills Club Assisted Living in Mayfield Heights said. “Even when seniors are living in an assisted living building, surrounded by friends and staff, they are often too ashamed to admit that they got scammed.”
Sometimes it is discovered when a resident who historically has been diligent about paying rent is suddenly behind in doing so, according to Zorn.
“When this occurs, I can have an open conversation with them and gently ask them if something is going on,” she said. “Being able to put them at ease and allowing them to talk without feeling ashamed is always the goal.”
Next, Zorn said she offers to assist in the process of identifying the suspect and retrieving what was lost.
“Collecting as much information as possible so that others won’t be affected,” can help prevent addition victims and we report anything necessary to police, she said.
Zorn said the frequency of scams increases in the spring during tax season and she identified three types of common scam tactics.
One is a “love” scam and typically targets women living alone in senior communities, according to Zorn.
“Female residents who are lonely are finding companionship through online avenues,” she said. “These scammers will basically ‘love bomb’ the female (and) send them pictures (to) gain their trust.”
After a short while, they will claim to be in financial trouble and say their phone might be cut off because they don’t have the money to pay the bill, according to Zorn.
They ask for money to be sent through an online link and more requests for money typically follow, she said.
“These female residents then put their living situation at risk because sending money to keep talking to someone is more important than paying rent,” Zorn said.
Another kind of scam promises a larger payout for a smaller investment.
“A certificate is sent to the resident telling them that they have won money (but) they need access to a cell number,” she said. “The resident will respond because it looks very official.”
The suspect then opens up a direct line of communication with the victim and begins building a rapport with the victim, according to Zorn.
Within a few months, the suspect will ask the victim to purchase gift cards from Amazon or VISA, for example, but provide the suspect with the card’s PIN numbers in exchange for a promise of a “grand prize,” she said.
Another scam, called a “check scam” entails a check being sent via FedEx or UPS, issued to the victim but also containing a code that, after the check is deposited, provides the suspect who sent it access to the victim’s bank account, according to Zorn.
“What we discovered through law enforcement agencies is that there is a unique code on this check and once deposited it will allow the scammer access to withdraw the funds from the bank account provided. The last check we saw was for $5,000, enough to get a senior on a fixed income excited about,” Zorn said.
Gates Mills Club Assisted Living provides on-site educational seminars to help thwart such scams.
“We have had an educational activity session bringing in someone specializing in senior scams to keep our seniors informed (and) I post weekly in our bulletin if I come across a new scam to inform them what to look for,” Zorn said.
Lee Ann O’Brien, chief marketing and communications manager for The McGregor Foundation in Cleveland, shared similar advice.
“Safeguards against financial schemes and scams are essential for people of all ages, not just seniors,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien suggested that people stay informed about common scam tactics, such as phishing emails, fraudulent phone calls and deceptive online offers.
“Everyone should regularly review their financial statements, use strong and unique passwords that are phrases, and be cautious when sharing personal information,” O’Brien said.
“In addition, utilizing credit monitoring services and enabling alerts for suspicious activity on accounts can provide added layers of protection,” she said. “If it seems to be something from a bank, call your bank to ensure they have sent you the notification.”
Be aware that reputable institutions and especially entities such as Medicare and the Social Security Administration never solicit sensitive information via an email or a text, O’Brien said.
“By practicing vigilance and encouraging open conversations about financial safety, individuals and families can help prevent falling victim to scams and ensure their financial well-being,” she said. “If you don’t recognize the sender, don’t open it.”
A. Kevin Corvo is a freelance journalist.
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