Elderly People And Swindlers

No one likes to imagine the elderly as being people who are easy targets for swindlers, telesales reps, or online scam artists. Unfortunately, this is very much the case.

A wide number of studies and statistics indicate that when swindlers of all shapes and sizes are looking for easy targets, they are most definitely going to be interested in the elderly. There are a number of reasons as to why this is the case. Understanding these reasons is the first step towards preventing elderly individuals you know from becoming targets. There are other steps you’re going to want to keep in mind, as well.

In the first place, it is important to understand that swindlers are not simply targeting the elderly due to loneliness on the part of the elders. It is a considerable misconception that the elderly are so desperate for companionship and conversation, they will invite virtually anyone into their home or their lives. The truth of the matter is that scam artists who utilize the phone or the internet are simply accomplished criminals who put a number of tricks into play, in order to get money or more from people. Elderly people are largely a popular target amongst these horrible individuals and companies because they have disposable income, and because they are likely to believe the best of someone who at least sounds sincere.

The best online and telesales scam artists are always going to sound sincere. This is how they work their way into a conversation that an elderly person feels like they can’t walk away from. After that, the swindler will use scare tactics, bullying, or they will simply continue to build on that concept of sincerity. Simply put, they will do anything and everything to keep the call or online transaction going. And the longer it goes, the more likely it is that they will be successful in their goals.

When you understand how aggressive these swindlers are, you can begin to understand how you can go about protecting the seniors in your life from becoming victims.

How To Protect Seniors From Scam Artists

To begin with, you’re going to want to do everything you possibly can to drive home a very clear message: No matter how kind of sincere a telesales rep or other type of swindler might sound, the fact of the matter is that they are a hardened, uncaring criminal. They do not care who they hurt. They simply want money and personal information, and they will stop at nothing to get one or both of these things.

Drive home this fact, and tell the senior or seniors in your life how they can protect themselves by being able to identify certain red flags. These red flags can include making promises that sound just too good to be true, offers that emphasize making money after making a small investment, any scare tactics, or repeated calls, even after the senior has said no once.

Tell them that if they don’t know the caller, then don’t trust them.