As people age, they may become more vulnerable to fraudulent schemes.
Older adults often have an accumulated nest egg, may be more socially isolated, and could experience cognitive decline. It's vital to have conversations with seniors in your life about how to stay protected from fraud.
Protecting seniors from financial fraud is essential, but it doesn't have to be complicated. By implementing these straightforward tips, you can help safeguard the elderly individuals in your life from falling prey to fraudulent schemes.
Get talking
One of the most important things you can do is to keep the dialogue open with aging parents or family members. Discuss the risks of fraud, the latest scams, and how to keep personal information safe.
Set up safe habits
Encourage them to set up safe habits when it comes to handling money. Discuss how to write cheques securely, as well as the importance of never giving out money or personal information over the phone, email or text to unknown contacts.
Discuss warning signs
It is important to be aware of warning signs of fraudulent activity. Inform your family members that scammers will often impersonate trusted contacts or even family members. It's crucial to remind them that their bank or government agencies will never call and ask for sensitive information or ask them to put that information in an email.
Stay connected
Another way to protect seniors from fraud is to stay connected with them. Check in with them regularly and ask questions. Encourage your loved ones to have their bank set up alerts for unusual account or credit card activity that could be fraudulent.
Be vigilant together
It is essential to work together to protect the seniors in your life from fraud. Encourage your loved ones to call you or another family member, their bank or their financial advisor if they are unsure about something or think they have been targeted by a fraudster.
By following these simple steps, you can help ensure that seniors in your life are protected from fraudulent schemes. Open communication and vigilance can go a long way in protecting your loved ones from financial scams.
