Tips for Preventing Telephone Scams

By Care at Home | December 7, 2018

Sometimes it seems like every time the telephone rings, it’s someone trying to trick you out of your hard-earned money. They tell you your computer has a virus and they need to remotely access it to fix the problem. Or, they say they’re from the IRS and you owe back taxes. And, sometimes, they even pretend to be a family member stranded someplace far from home.

If you’re getting calls like this, you can bet that your aging relative is, too. In fact, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), older adults are a favorite target of scammers because they often have money saved up and were raised in a time when people were more trusting. Though your aging relative may be targeted, you can help protect them from being a victim of telephone scams.

Here are some tips:

Talk About Phone Scams

When you learn of a new telephone scam, tell your older family member about it. Knowing what kinds of calls they should watch for can help them to avoid them. When they know, for example, that someone claiming they are from the IRS is really a scam artist, they’ll know to hang up without giving out any personal information.

Report Suspicious Phone Calls

When you receive suspicious phone calls, report them. This can help to stop scams, so you’ll not only be protecting your loved one but countless other people as well. You can report phone scams to the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-382-4357. You can also tell the Do Not Call Registry about unwanted telemarketing calls and robocalls. Finally, report caller ID spoofing (misrepresentation of who the call is from using caller ID) to the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322, or online.

Avoid Paying for Promises

Talk to your aging relative about sending money for a promised good or service. Remind them that they should never have to pay upfront for taxes or fees before receiving a prize. They also should not have to pay in advance for loan offers or debt relief.

Just Hang Up

Instruct seniors to hang up on robocalls and other phone scams. They should not press a button to speak to a live person or be taken off the calling list. The result is usually more calls because the scammers know they’ve reached a valid number. It also doesn’t do much good to argue with scammers on the phone. They’re already doing something illegal, so they probably don’t care how you feel about it. Plus, there’s a chance that the longer the scammer talks they might convince the senior that they are from a legitimate company.

Get Help from Senior Care

Senior care can help older adults to avoid telephone scams by fielding phone calls for them. They can also tell seniors about new scams they learn of. Some older adults with cognitive deficits may make poor judgments. Senior care providers can keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t make any costly mistakes.