R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly
June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month. June is also a great time for seniors to travel and spend time with loved ones—and the fraudsters know it! They are looking for ways to take advantage of vulnerable individuals. Seniors are often the target of scams due to their trusting nature. Therefore, it’s important for you to be aware of these risks and take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.
The following tips can help you protect yourself from scams and frauds in the month of June, and all months:
1. Be wary of vacation rental scams. June is a popular time for travel, and scammers often take advantage of this by posting fake vacation rental listings online. Seniors should be cautious when booking rentals and use reputable sites to ensure that they are dealing with legitimate providers.
2. Don’t fall for charity scams. Many charities launch fundraising campaigns in June, but scammers also take advantage of this by posing as charities and asking for donations. Seniors should be skeptical of unsolicited requests for donations and verify the legitimacy of the charity before giving. Check Charity Navigator at www.charitynavigator.org to ensure it’s a legitimate organization. Make sure to use the charity’s tax identification number and not their name to verify.
3. Beware of romance scams—these are always in season. Scammers pose as potential love interests online. Seniors should be cautious of anyone who asks for money or personal information before ever meeting in person. Be sure to talk to someone you know, like, and trust before sending money, gift cards, etc. to anyone.
4. Watch out for high tech grandparent/parent scams. The fraudsters are now using artificial intelligence (AI) to clone a person’s voice. They do this to scare the grandparent or parent into thinking their loved one has been injured or kidnapped. It’s highly unlikely that this has happened to your loved one. Take the time to call someone to help you verify if the threat is real before you send anyone money or gift cards.
5. Use secure technology. You should make sure your security software is up-to-date on your computer and smartphone to protect yourself from online fraud. You should also be wary of clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. Check with trusted loved ones who might be able to help you stay current with critical updates.
Always stay informed and be aware of the latest scams. For more information, visit www.roseadvocacy.org and subscribe to our newsletter on the homepage.
R.O.S.E. seeks to create change by educating and providing awareness of financial scams that typically target the older/elderly population, with a focus on those age 60 and over. For more information and resources, visit www.roseadvocacy.org, email us at [email protected], or call us at 602-445-7673.