Approximately 10 Deceptive Call Schemes Exploiting Elderly Individuals Suffering from Dementia
In the ever-changing landscape of technology and communication, phone scams have evolved to become a significant threat, particularly for the elderly and those with cognitive impairments. These scams are designed to exploit the vulnerabilities of their targets, using increasingly sophisticated and urgent tactics.
One common strategy involves scammers impersonating government officials, referencing issues with Social Security or taxes to coerce victims into providing sensitive information or making payments. This can be distressing for individuals with cognitive decline, who may find it difficult to scrutinize requests critically.
Phone scams often serve as a gateway to identity theft, where scammers acquire enough information to steal an individual's identity. Voice phishing (vishing) is a common method, tricking individuals into revealing personal information or parting with their money, particularly exploiting the cognitive vulnerabilities of those with dementia.
Elder lottery scams are another prevalent tactic. Scammers exploit the trust of their victims by convincing them they have won a large sum of money, only to request personal information or money in return. Previous generations were more inclined to trust authority figures, the government, and institutions, making the elderly a prime target for scammers who exploit this trust.
Scammers may also send fraudulent checks for services or products, requesting the victim to deposit the check and send back the excess amount. Overpayment scams can result in the victim being left responsible for the amount of the fake check, once it is discovered to be fraudulent.
Phone scammers may resort to extortion, threatening their victims with dire consequences if they don't comply with their demands. Loneliness can make elderly individuals susceptible to romance scams, where scammers build emotional connections to exploit trust and financial resources.
Scammers adapt their strategies based on the vulnerabilities of their targets, with older generations, less familiar with technology, becoming prime targets due to their knowledge gap. The establishment of trust is a key factor in phone scams, as a friendly voice on the phone can be reassuring, especially for individuals with dementia.
Scammers may pose as representatives of tech companies, claiming fictitious issues with the target's computer. Tech support scams can result in the installation of malware or the loss of personal information.
Scammers can trick individuals into providing personal information under the guise of addressing a supposed data breach. These scams highlight the importance of verifying claims directly through official channels and promptly reporting suspicious calls to prevent victimization.
Education, communication, and vigilance are our most potent weapons against the growing threat of phone scams. By sharing experiences or strategies for safeguarding against phone scams targeting individuals with dementia, we can work together to ensure the safety and well-being of our vulnerable loved ones.
References:
[1] Saint Joseph Hospital warns of Medicare and Medicaid scams. (2021, March 18). KTLA. Retrieved from https://ktla.com/news/local-news/saint-joseph-hospital-warns-of-medicare-and-medicaid-scams/
[2] Social Security imposter scams. (2021). AARP. Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/social-security-scams.html
[3] How to avoid phone scams. (n.d.). AARP. Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/how-to-avoid-phone-scams.html
[4] Understanding and preventing phone scams. (2021). National Council on Aging. Retrieved from https://www.ncoa.org/economic-security/money-management/scams-fraud/understanding-and-preventing-phone-scams/
[5] Phone scams targeting the elderly and those with dementia. (2021, March 23). National Institute on Aging. Retrieved from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/phone-scams-targeting-elderly-and-those-dementia
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