Is it easier for scammers prey on the elderly, or did that most targets are the elderly?
Well, one thing is certain: a disproportionate percentage of the identity theft complaints came from people over 50 (although I'm sure some readers would hardly consider 50-somethings of being of seniors, but you get the point).
Some scammers go after seniors because they know that many older people have a lot of money saved. And it is also no secret that many older people are not as strong as they used to be, and also are not on technology
Some common scams that target the elderly: .
- A caller claiming to be "your favorite grand-son." This lures the victim announcing the name of this small-son, then the hollow is identified by the name. If the victim has hearing loss, he can not say that the voice of the caller does not look like his little son.
- the caller then gives a sob story and asks him Gramps wire a little money.
- employees of nursing homes residents access records for their social security numbers and other data, and then sell them to fraudsters.
- An alleged email from the bank the victim (or IRS or FBI) warned them that something is wrong and must act immediately to solve the problem and the action is to type in their social security number, bank login information, etc.
- mortgage Scam companies. These fraudsters get ahold of the social security numbers of applicants, other data and even their acts to commit identity theft.
How to help prevent identity theft
- Some seniors are active on social media. Be very careful what you post on Facebook, Instagram, etc. Do not post anything that could reveal your location or when you are away from home.
- If you are looking for a job, refuse to take any job in which "employer" wants you to cash checks with your account or participate with wire transfers.
- does not keep sensitive information in your wallet / purse.
- do not leave your cell phone, wallet, etc., in public, that punk could skate by and snatch.
- Use a shredder to all personal and financial documents.
- deleted automatically, never open emails that appear to come from your bank, the IRS or the FBI. Ditto for emails announcing that you have won a prize or say something very suspect in the subject line as "Dear Blessed" or "I Need Your Help."
- Never make transactions on a financial site that only "http" in the URL, but instead, an "https" and a padlock icon before it.
- Use Hotspot Shield VPN when the free WiFi. WiFi Free is often unencrypted and vulnerable to hackers.
- Make copies of your credit cards and other essential documents and keep them in an easy place to remember if one of these cards, etc. be stolen or lost, so you can quickly cancel the card, etc.
- If you want to send a letter that contains sensitive data, put it in a post office collection box.
- Believe it or not, crooks get information on obituaries to commit identity theft. Provide details such as date of birth, city of birth, names of schools, etc., and just note the age of passage and elaborate an identity thief can not use, like, "She loved to volunteer with children. "
- Check your bank statements and credit card each month for suspicious charges.
pensioners do not have to be victims of fraud as long as they pay attention to various scams and recognize their responsibilities regarding the prevention of identity theft. By implementing fraud systems need not occur.
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