On National Senior Citizens Day (August 21), IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) and the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio join forces to emphasize an urgent warning against emergency scams and high-pressure tactics targeting our valued seniors. These scams exploit the goodwill of unsuspecting individuals, preying on their willingness to help loved ones in distress.
Judy Dollison, President of BBB of Central Ohio, underscores the importance of awareness: “Sharing information about these prevalent scams is key to safeguarding our seniors. Open conversations can foster trust within families, empowering seniors to seek help and protect one another.”
Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge of CI’s Cincinnati Field Office, which serves Ohio and Kentucky, emphasizes the urgency of the matter: “Criminals are getting more complex in the schemes they use to defraud our senior citizens. Being educated and aware of prevalent scams is the first line of defense for families and for seniors themselves. Our partner in the fight against financial crimes, the U.S. Department of Justice, has excellent information on the signs of elder financial abuse posted to its website. We encourage families to learn these warning signs and be vigilant against criminals who try to take advantage of senior family members.”
According to Dollison, "The more we talk about these common scams, the more we become aware. The shared conversation can build trust among family members. Often seniors who have been scammed won’t tell anyone about being scammed - they may be afraid or ashamed. But it’s important to share in order to get help and warn others."
BBB and CI want to support our elders by arming them with the knowledge to recognize and combat scams. Alongside emergency scams, our seniors are at risk from various other frauds like bogus sweepstakes, tech support schemes, IRS impersonations, sweetheart scams, and more.
“Grandma, Help!” How the scam works:
Scammers pose as family members or friends facing dire circumstances, exploiting the grandparent's concern for their loved ones. They may impersonate the victim's grandchildren, fabricating urgent situations and pleading for immediate financial assistance.
Spotting the Scam: Resist the impulse to act hastily, even when the story is compelling. Verify the situation with other family members and directly contact your loved one using a trusted number or email. Do not use the contact information provided by the caller.
Knowing the types of scams set on our seniors can help them identify and avoid exploitation.
Additional scams targeting seniors:
- Grandparents scam: Con artists pretend to be a needy grandchild, convincing grandparents to wire money.
- Bogus sweepstakes/lottery scam: Seniors are tricked into paying fees to claim fake winnings.
- Tech support scam: Fraudsters pose as tech support to gain access to computers and steal personal information.
- IRS or Social Security scams: Scammers impersonate government officials, coercing personal and financial data.
- Sweetheart/Hard Luck Scam: Seniors are manipulated emotionally, leading to financial exploitation.
- Home repair and construction scams: Scammers offer fake repairs and demand payment upfront.
- Investment scams: Seniors are targeted with deceitful investments and unregistered securities.
Follow these tips to protect our seniors:
- Verify before you act: Regardless of how compelling the story sounds, resist the urge to act immediately. Contact your loved one directly using a known and trusted phone number or email.
- Question and confirm: Ask questions only the real family member or friend would know. Challenge the caller or message sender with inquiries that impostors cannot answer.
- Privacy online: Keep track of your family's online sharing habits and prevent personal information from being exposed on social media platforms.
- Money matters: If in doubt, do not wire money. If money has been wired under fraudulent circumstances, alert the police immediately.
- Be skeptical of urgency: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to push their agenda. Pause, verify, and don't rush into decisions.
Remember, a legitimate government agency or sweepstakes company will never ask for money via wire transfers or gift cards. Reporting suspected fraud to the relevant authorities, such as banks, credit card companies, Better Business Bureau (BBB.org), and government agencies, is crucial.
Let's stand up against scammers and empower our seniors to protect themselves. By spreading awareness and staying vigilant, we can ensure that National Senior Citizens Day truly becomes a celebration of respect and care for our cherished elders.
For more information and resources on senior citizen fraud protection, visit justice.gov/elderjustice and BBB.org.
To report a scam, go to BBB Scam Tracker. Learn more about all types of impostor scams.
To learn how to protect yourself, go to “10 Steps to Avoid Scams."
