Written By Alan Good
Anyone can fall victim to a scam; however, according to experts, seniors are a common target and more likely to be drawn in to a fraudulent encounter. Losses reach billions annually. Are you aware of the types of scams and how to avoid them?
Scammers often try to create fear or urgency. They may pretend to be someone you trust or claim there is an emergency. Scammers can often sound authentic and legitimate.
Fraudulent schemes target older adults by exploiting trust, politeness, or unfamiliarity with technology. Common tactics include emergency grandparent calls, fake bank or government impersonation (like the CRA or police), and computer pop-up tech support traps.
In the grandparent emergency scam, a caller pretends to be a grandchild using AI voice cloning, or police officer. The caller claims the relative is in jail or in an accident and needs urgent cash or gift cards.
You might hear from your bank or the CRA by phone, text, or email. Fraudsters fake numbers to look like a bank or tax agency, claiming accounts are compromised and demanding funds be moved to a “safe account”.
This writer was once led to believe a large amount had been removed from an account by a regular service, and I mistakenly called the number. This led to a person trying to get me to provide my bank info. As he became frustrated, the caller’s voice raised considerably. I later went online on another computer to see that there had been no such over-payment.
Tech support pop-ups fake browser alerts claiming your computer has a virus, and a number is displayed whereby scammers ask for remote access. In a romance scam, criminals build fake online relationships on social media or dating sites to eventually request money for an emergency.
Others include door-to-door home improvement sales or charity requests. Here, you might be offered a free prize or trip.
There are ways to protect yourself. For instance, just hang up if an unexpected caller demands immediate action. Use what the OPP call “The 10-minute rule: wait before reacting”. Call family members to verify issues.
Be cautious if someone pressures you to act right away. Hang up and call the organization using an official phone number you find from a trusted source, such as a bill or card. If they are at the door, ask them to return later and call a number associated with the business or charity they say they represent and ask if they have people on your street.
Never share banking details, passwords, SIN number, or personal data over the phone or by email. Don’t pay with gift cards or crypto. Legitimate agencies or businesses will never ask for payment through these methods. Use call blocking and email spam filters where possible.
Remember, if they try to make you panic or if it sounds too good to be true, move on. If you think you’ve been targeted, stop all contact with the person. Contact your bank or credit union if money was sent or your account was accessed. Report the incident to police, or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre either online or at 1-888-495-8501. Reporting helps protect others even if you did not lose money.
Protect your money and identification by being aware each time you encounter a stranger.
Stranger-danger!
