Another year means another opportunity for scammers and fraudsters to figure out new ways to take advantage of our most vulnerable population: older adults.
Once you think you have it all figured out and know what to look out for, they come up with something new and creative to catch their targets off guard.
One of the main issues is that the elderly are not prepared to protect themselves. So it is ever more important for caregivers and children of those age 65 and older to be on the lookout and apprise your loved ones of red flags to look out for, so they don’t put themselves in a bad position by exposing private information or putting their savings in jeopardy.
“I think the scammers are constantly updating their strategies to take advantage of people as the current scams become more commonplace,” said Hannah Davis, assistant executive director of the TriCCounty Active Adult Center (TRAAC) in Pottstown. “It’s important to be adaptable and aware of these shifts.
“Older adults may not have the resources or network to stay up-to-date and informed on these topics, which is why staying integrated and connected to the community or something like a senior center is so crucial.”
Davis said that older adults can be more susceptible because some are less inclined to be well versed in the use of technology and the ways it can be manipulated.
“And now, AI is making it even more difficult to navigate and protect oneself and also identify what is real versus what is false,” Davis said. “Furthermore, older adults can sometimes become more isolated and thus prone to loneliness.
“This can make them easy targets for online romance scams or someone who poses as someone who is trying to befriend them when really it is a con.”
Additionally, older adults are sometimes more vulnerable not just because of the lack of technology adeptness but also physical processes of aging with declines in cognition.
Educational opportunities
Here is information regarding the upcoming Scam and Fraud Prevention opportunities the TriCounty Active Adult Center, 288 Moser Road, No. 1, Pottstown, is offering so that you can stay informed on the latest and help protect your loved ones who are most vulnerable to frauds and scams.
Identity theft prevention with Kimberly Mullen
When and where: July 16 at 10:30 a.m., Classroom 1. This workshop is part of KeyBank’s Money, Me & Key educational program and focuses on:
• Learning how to identify the signs of theft and fraud
• Examining different types of theft and fraud
• Identifying strategies to to protect yourself
Learn how to protect your data through safe habits with Det. Edward Nitka of the Pottstown Police Department
When: July 23 at 10 a.m., Classroom 1
Nitka handles most of the scam and fraud cases that are reported to the Pottstown Police Department, so he is well positioned to offer the most relevant information that may impact seniors in the area.
He also provides tips and strategies to protect yourself and avoid becoming a victim of such crimes. He visits the TRAAC quarterly throughout the year, so members feel comfortable asking questions and seeking assistance outside of the confines of the TRAC should they need additional help.
Other assistance
State Rep. Joe Ciresi has a satellite office at the TRAAC in the Social Service Annex where his staff is available Monday and Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. to assist if anyone has questions about scam and fraud prevention or feels they have been a victim of such a crime. For more information about other locations and hours of operation, call his office at 484-200-8265.
State Sen. Tracy Pennycuick’s office will be visiting the TRAAC on Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. They will have a table in the lobby to provide state-level resources about service available for older adults. The state resource is “Scam Jam” designed by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. “Scam Jam” events work with local partner sites to offer free, interactive fraud‑prevention programming to teach residents — especially older adults — how to spot and avoid scams.
For more information: www.tricountyaac.org
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