Why Are Seniors More Prone to Holiday Scams?

The holiday season is just around the corner, and so are the scammers. Unfortunately, elderly seniors are often a target for many different types of financial scams and the holiday season gives scammers many opportunities. Read on to learn the most common scams that seniors may fall victim to and how you can protect them.

Common Holiday Scams to Watch Out For

• Online Scams

When shopping online, be sure to only shop from websites that are secure. You can leave yourself open to identity theft and fraud by shopping on unsecured websites. If the sites look unprofessional or suspicious in any way, it’s best to avoid them and shop online at well-known retailers only. 

• Charity Scams

Unfortunately, some good samaritans get scammed into making donations to charities that may not be legitimate. Be extra cautious when being solicited donations by phone, email, social media, as well as those knocking at your door. If you want to make a donation this holiday season, Guidestar and Charity Navigator has a list of authentic and verified charities. 

• “Grandparent” Scams

Some scammers will pose as a friend or family member in trouble. They might ask for wired money or for other personal information. Scammers typically use social media as a way to get personal information and details about loved ones to pull off this type of scam. Keeping social media profiles private can help prevent them from getting information from your personal profile. 

How to Protect Your Elderly Loved One

Keeping personal financial information secure is one of the best ways to keep your elderly loved one protected from scams. Remind your elderly loved one to practice the following safety precautions:

• Never disclose personal or financial information to anyone over the phone, via text message or over the internet.
• Never wire money to strangers no matter what they say their circumstance is.
• Check credit cards and bank statements for any suspicious charges. Contact your creditor or financial institution if you discover any suspicious findings. 

Read The Arbors Blog for More Tips

When it comes to keeping your elderly loved one safe and protected, you can find a host of tips and other information on our blog. From exercise tips to managing arthritis pain, caretakers of elderly loved ones can count on us for the best information to help you through. 

For more information and to learn if assisted living may be right for your elderly loved one, contact us today to schedule a tour at one of our five convenient locations on Long Island today!