Emerging scams place seniors at risk of financial losses. The cons are often based on dangers to loved ones or a threat of jail time. The criminals visit the senior’s home or call to collect confidential data. The financial details are used to collect funds from banks or illegally use credit card accounts. Identity theft is a risk for seniors, too, and the crimes cause serious financial losses.
Many scams are used to get direct access to bank accounts where the funds are transferred illegally. For other criminals, the access shows how much money seniors have on hand. Elderly individuals with significant account balances are at a greater risk.
Program SSA Phone Numbers Into the Phone
The Social Security Administration branch in the senior’s area is likely to call about claims and benefits. There is a dedicated number for these offices, and the family can add the number to the senior’s phone contacts.
The addition prevents the person from falling victim to scammers claiming to be a part of the SSA. The scams are used to collect the person’s Social Security number and the account number for the benefits. A senior community can help residents by educating the individuals about the scams.
Limit Charitable Donation Contributions
Many seniors contribute to the same charities each year. Scammers who go through the person’s trash find letters from the charities. These scams involve calls or visits trying to collect donations. If the criminal knows what charities receive the senior’s money, the criminals increase their chances of collecting. Residents who receive memory care are often forgetful. This detail is manipulated by perpetrators. By limiting contributions, families can protect the seniors.
The Loved One In Trouble Scam
Many scammers contact seniors with the lie that a loved one is in trouble. The basis could be the loved one is going to jail or can’t get medical treatment without advance payments. A careful strategy is to set up a plan for contacting the loved one. These days, seniors have smartphones and know how to send text messages. Instead of taking the person’s word for it, the resident can text the loved one. In an assisted living community, the staff can prevent unauthorized visitors from coming to the resident’s home.
Block All Known Scam Phone Numbers
Robocalls are used to collect confidential information. The scammers use a variety of phone numbers. Most smartphones have settings to prevent calls from parties who aren’t a contact. A family member can change these settings and stop unwanted calls.
Safety At a Senior Community
In a senior community, residents are protected against in-person visits from individuals the residents don’t know. The communities have security and surveillance systems on the property. All mailboxes require a key to open, and criminals cannot access the mail. Some apartments have automatic door locks that engage when the door closes. The locks can prevent anyone from getting into the apartment without a key.
Set Up Auto Drafts For Monthly Expenses
If a senior doesn’t have to use their physical debit or credit card, the resident won’t have access to confidential details. A family member can set up auto drafts for the senior’s monthly expenses. This prevents the senior from calling a creditor to pay the bill. Limited access to credit cards and debit cards reduces the risk of financial losses. The senior cannot give the scammer the information if it’s not available.
Safe Homes for Seniors
At Orchard Park of Kyle, we offer beautiful apartments for seniors and a wealth of amenities. The amenities include transportation, meal preparation, and housekeeping services. Our community is safer for seniors and protects the residents against scams. Families and seniors can learn more about the community by scheduling a private tour now.
Scam artists target elderly people because the seniors are more vulnerable. Many seniors save throughout their lives for retirement. The individuals could have large account balances and need more protection against thieves. Families must find solutions that stop unauthorized access to the accounts and prevent unauthorized withdrawals.
Senior communities are great options for elderly individuals who live alone. In the communities, seniors are likely to stay busier with more activities, events, and new friends. By having them live in the communities, families can protect their elderly loved ones effectively. Additional strategies such as restricting unknown calls and opting out of mailing lists help seniors, too. Seniors can avoid scammers and manage their finances easier by downsizing and moving into safer communities.
