Scammers that target seniors are shrewd, heartless individuals. Each day a new scam is reported on the news where a criminal has stolen money or confidential information from vulnerable individuals. Families can provide assistance for elderly loved ones who could fall victim to these perpetrators. By learning better ways to protect the seniors, loved ones can stop scammers from targeting the elderly and prevent serious financial losses.
Reducing Access to the Loved One
Seniors who remain in the family home are more of a target for scammers who visit the homes of elderly individuals. However, if the senior decides to move into a senior community, the community is gated and restricts access to the residents. In a community, there are others who will look out for each other, and scammers who try to visit the property are reported to the authorities. An elderly individual who chooses to move into these communities has more protection against scammers who visit the homes of elderly citizens.
Educating the Seniors About New Scams
In an assisted living community, residents can make friends quickly, and the individuals are likely to discuss odd visits or phone calls. As more scams are explained on the news and social media, the residents can become more educated about current scams. Seniors who isolate are more likely to become a victim of a scam since the individuals can become lonely and will talk to anyone who calls.
Shred All Statements and Receipts
As the residents receive bank statements or receipts for purchases, the person should collect these documents and shred the papers before placing the information in the trash. Scammers are likely to go through a senior’s trash to try to collect confidential information and use the data for financial gains. If all the statements and any documents with the information are shredded, the residents won’t have to worry about identity theft or serious financial losses.
Keep the Seniors Involved in the Community
Residents that stay involved in the community are less likely to become the victim of a scam. The individuals are too busy participating in on-site activities and events, and the residents spend a lot of time with new friends in the community. This can prevent the person from talking to scammers in person or on the phone. Robocalls often take place during business hours, and if the individuals aren’t sitting around alone, the residents are less likely to answer these scammer calls.
Let a Family Member Manage the Senior’s Finances
Seniors who have been diagnosed with dementia will need services such as memory care and will need more assistance than others. While the person can remain lucid for many years, the effects of the brain disorder can lead to cognitive dysfunction and the inability to be rational. Under the circumstances, the individuals are likely to give a family member a power of attorney to manage their finances and assets. If a family member is managing their financial assets, scammers cannot get information from the resident.
Set Up Direct Deposits for All Social Security and Retirement Benefits
Direct deposit is the best way to protect seniors against scammers who steal checks that arrive in the mail. With the automatic transfers, the resident won’t lose money because a criminal stole their benefits from the mailbox.
A Great Place for Seniors to Live
At Fountain Square of Lompoc, we offer extraordinary apartments for seniors and retirees. Our community presents each resident with amazing amenities and helps individuals live more independently. Families and seniors who want to learn more about our community get started by setting up a private tour right now.
Scammers target elderly individuals because these individuals are easier to manipulate and are vulnerable. Seniors who remain in the family home become ripe for the picking, and scammers often succeed in their ventures. Unfortunately, the seniors may report the scammers, but there is no guarantee that law enforcement can recover the lost money.
Senior communities offer added measures to prevent scammers from getting any access to the residents. Some communities are gated and require residents to inform a guard when loved ones are visiting. For others, new friends and companions in the community can look out for the residents and help these individuals stay educated about the latest scams that target seniors.
Confidential documents and benefit checks are often accessible to criminals who go through mailboxes, but in communities, the mailboxes are locked and require a key to get into. By learning better ways to protect seniors, loved ones can prevent their elderly family members from becoming victims.
