Maybe you have some experience dealing with the growing number of robocalls, imposter emails, and investment schemes that are too good to be true and you can recognize them instantly as scams.
But how about your mom?
From the very beginning, scammers have targeted older people who may have more money and are more trusting than the general population. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has released a guide to help people protect older family members and it starts with making sure they understand the red flags that are always present in a scam.
“Knowing the most common tactics used to target older adults can help you more easily identify when scams occur,” the BBB said in its guide.
Red flags
There are at least three red flags that, if recognized, will keep your parents and older friends and family members out of trouble. The first is the scammer contacts by telephone or email and says there is a problem that must be resolved immediately or there will be terrible consequences. Examples include threats to shut off a utility or even to be arrested.
That sense of urgency is meant to make the victim act without thinking, so older people need to know there is never a need to act immediately without first taking some time to collect thoughts, or even to consult someone else.
Another red flag is the exact opposite of the threat of dire consequences. The target may be told they have won a sweepstakes and will get over $100,000 in prize money. Of course,…
