As more seniors are using smartphones, computers, and tablets these days, these elderly individuals are becoming the victims of scams at a growing rate. Scam artists are more cunning today and use tactics such as threats of jail, harm to family members, and serious legal penalties to get these individuals to comply with the unlawful requests.
With the growing number of scams each day, elderly people need to become more educated about tactics used by perpetrators and find ways to safeguard themselves. In senior communities, the staff can provide residents information and warnings about current scams and lower the rate of success for the criminals. By reviewing scams that are known to target the elderly, families can do more to protect their loved ones.
Healthcare Insurance Fraud
Healthcare insurance fraud scams are often used to collect policy information for seniors. The perpetrators use the policy information to get coverage for health services and provide these details to hospitals and healthcare providers.
Unfortunately, by the time the medical centers or doctors find out the policy doesn’t belong to the person, the criminal has accumulated high medical costs in the real policyholder’s name. In senior living communities, all residents are informed of current scams to prevent identity theft and access to healthcare benefits.
Law Enforcement Scams
Brazen criminals are now impersonating law enforcement officers claiming that the senior must pay fictitious fines and penalties or the person or their loved ones will be arrested. With these scams, the impostors are either calling the individual’s phone or visiting the person with fake badges and identification. With assisted living in Palmdale, the residents don’t have to worry about these impostors and will be updated about any scams in the area related to law enforcement.
Government Impostor Scams
The IRS and other government agencies are often impersonated by scammers, and a common scam related to seniors is a tax scam. The criminal tells the senior that there are overdue tax payments on the IRS file, and if the taxpayer doesn’t pay the taxes immediately, there will be hefty consequences.
The individual becomes fearful of possibly going to jail or having assets seized, and the person falls for the scam. In an assisted living community, seniors won’t have to worry about these scams, and the staff can assist if someone approaches the resident about overdue tax payments.
Robocall Scams to Collect Data
Robocalls have become a prevailing risk to the elderly. The perpetrators collect mobile phone numbers through the internet and third parties. Once the individuals have the numbers, automated systems are used to place the calls.
Once the person answers the phone, the automated system provides directions, and the fake representative asks the senior to verify the information. During the presumed verification process, the criminal is actually collecting the person’s confidential details, including banking information. The scams are used to get the bank account, credit card, and debit card details. Once acquired, the criminals max out credit cards and steal all the person’s money.
Computer Tech Support Scams
Fake computer tech support services are used to collect passwords for email accounts and any user accounts the person uses. Once the scammer has the passwords, a sign-in happens, and the owner is locked out of the account. Information connected to these user accounts is collected, including email addresses for the individual’s contacts.
A Safe Place for Seniors
At Palm Vista Senior Living, our community cares about the best interests of all residents, and we will make it our mission to keep all seniors safe and prevent scam artists from taking advantage of the elderly. Families can learn more about our community by setting up a tour today.
Seniors are among the most vulnerable people in the country, and scam artists target these individuals to collect data for financial gains. Many elderly individuals aren’t aware of the scams and are likely to become a victim too easily. With the growing number of elderly individuals using smartphones and the internet, scammers are finding new outlets for taking advantage of these vulnerable people.
Retired individuals who move into a senior living community can learn about scams that could affect their lives. The staff at these communities stay abreast of all threats to the elderly and provide information to all residents as new scams emerge. By staying educated about scams that target the elderly, residents can avoid financial losses and serious risks more effectively.
