Scams have always been around. It used to be mail and telephone fraud, but now, with new AI applications, online scams have become more sophisticated and harder to spot. Because seniors are often the target of these scams, here are a few common tactics and warning signs to watch out for.
Many scams will come in the form of emails or text messages. A scammer will pose as a bank, corporation, or cellphone provider. These messages will usually include a link or attached file for you to click or download, which contain viruses that give the scammer access to your passwords, banking, or personal information.
What You Can Do:
Be skeptical of any links that are sent to you in emails or text messages. Make sure not to click these links or open attachments from people you do not know, and even if it seems like it is from someone you know, check the email address — or call that person directly — to confirm. A bank, credit union, or government organization will not send you anything by e-mail or text message unless you ask them to.
Many online scams won’t just be a single text message or email. Online fraudsters will often aim to develop a friendship with you over time and create a sense of trust. After that, they will begin asking for money, in small amounts at first. They will often frame these requests as investment opportunities or urgent cases where they need your help.
What You Can Do:
Be cautious when messaging people that you haven’t met in person — never give them money or personal information. Keep trusted relatives in the loop and always walk through the scenario with them before making a big decision.
Many of us were raised to respect the government, institutions, and authorities. Scammers will often take advantage of this by posing as the CRA, banks, or service providers, and may contact you in the form of a phone call, text, or email. The scammer will often claim that you owe money to the institution and that you must pay back. They may also scare you by claiming that there will be financial or legal consequences if you don’t take action.
What You Can Do:
Scammers are able to change their caller ID so that they appear as the CRA or other institutions or businesses. The same goes for email names. For phone calls, we suggest you end the call by asking if you can call back the official number. For emails, check that the email address corresponds to the contact name.
Be wary of websites that you access through calls, texts, or emails. Scammers will create websites that impersonate banking or government websites. They’ll have official logos and similar colours and designs. Access a site through a browser or search engine like Google, and not just an email or message.
A scammer may also ask to access your computer remotely from another location. Only allow a tech support company to do this if you have reached out to them first and have verified their identity.
Scammers may also impersonate a loved one so they can ask you for money. A common version of this is called the grandparent scam. It involves someone calling you, saying they’re your grandchild and that they’re in trouble with the police and in need of money. They will ask you not to tell their parents and will often have another person on the phone, pretending to be a police officer. These scams have now gotten more sophisticated with AI voice technology.
Scammers may also send you emails or messages under the name of a loved one. On Facebook, this may mean that their account was hacked, and it is a different person contacting you.
What You Can Do:
Confirm their identity through another contact method. If it’s a call, you should call the person through the number that is in your phone’s contact list. If they’re reaching out to you through a text or social media message, get hold of them in a different way or contact someone you both know to confirm their identity.
One of the tell-tale signs of a scam is urgency. Scammers want to make a situation seem high-priority and immediate, so that you don’t have the time to verify who they are or whether their request is legitimate.
What You Can Do:
Always be skeptical of calls, text messages, or emails that ask you to do something quickly, or ask you not to tell anyone else.
Since many methods of transferring money are closely monitored by financial institutions, fraudsters will often get people to send them money in unorthodox ways. This may include things like investing in crypto, wiring them money, buying and mailing gift cards, or depositing envelopes of cash at specific locations.
What You Can Do:
Always make sure to walk through the scenario with a trusted relative. This will help you think it through and reconsider the situation.
Avoiding online scams is always easier when you live in a retirement home with trusted security and a helpful community. If you or a loved one is interested in moving to Sorrento Residences in Bolton, contact us today.