Scammers are always trying new tactics to convince people to believe them. One case of an IRS scam in New Hampshire showed just how determined they can be. When the woman refused to provide payment over the phone, the scammer drove to her house with a fake ID hoping to convince her.
It’s important to keep your parents safe from scams and fraud. Keeping them informed and educated is important. Here are some of the best ways to keep your parents from being scammed.
Don’t Answer the Phone
The best way to avoid scams is by teaching your parents not to answer the phone. It can be hard to get them to ignore the ringing phone. If the call is legitimate, the caller will leave a message. They can decide if it’s important enough to call back.
Teach Your Parents to Use Caller ID
Make sure your parents know how to look at their caller ID display. If they don’t recognize a number, they should learn how to Google it to see if it’s valid or not. They should report scam calls even if they haven’t answered it.
They should also know about spoofing. Spoofing occurs when the scammer uses software to make it look like they’re calling from an official number. The caller ID may show the call is coming from the local hospital, but it’s actually a scammer.
Make Sure They Know Never to Give Personal Information Over the Phone
If your parents do answer a call, they must not tell the caller their credit card number, a store gift card number, SSN/ITIN, date of birth, or address. All of this could be used to scam them.
Keep Updated With the Common Scams
Keep your parents informed on what scams are prevalent. Many scams are around for years, but they’ll pick up during certain times of the year. For example, the IRS scam tends to pick up during tax season. Charity scams are more likely to happen during the weeks before Christmas.
Make Sure They Have Help
Scammers often use two tricks to fool older adults. First, they may make calls earlier during the hours they figure an older adult is just falling asleep or waking up. If they catch the older adult just getting out of bed or waking up from a nap, the target may not be thinking clearly. Second, they research family information online to build a convincing story.
If your parents are prone to confusion or tend to be more gullible, they shouldn’t answer the phone or door. It can be hard to keep older adults from doing that. If you have home care aides with them, they have someone available to remind them not to answer.
Arrange daily caregiver visits. While caregivers are there, they provide companionship. They also help out with laundry, cleaning, meals, and organization. Call a home care agency to learn more.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elder Care in Daly City, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855
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