Protecting Our Elderly From Scammers: A Growing Threat And How To Combat It

Advances in technology in recent years has made fraudulent activity more prominent in the UK. Unfortunately, this has had a significant impact on our older adult population, as they are increasingly targeted. According to a report published by Re–engage and the University of Portsmouth:

“Two out of three older people have been targeted by scammers in the last year, leaving them frightened, depressed and even suicidal.”
www.port.ac.uk

Although modern technology has its many positives it has also provided another avenue for scammers to carry out their work. However, fraud using technology is not the only means by which scams are carried out. In today’s blog we will take a look at different types of fraud; what we can do about it and how we can protect our loved ones from becoming a victim.

Why are the elderly targeted?

Financial security
There are many factors that make older adults a key target audience for scammers. One of those factors is financial stability. Often older adults have significant savings, assets, retirement funds and set incomes, thus making them very lucrative.

Manipulation and social engineering
Some older adults can be more inclined to trusting a scammer due to their persuasive and realistic tactics. It can be hard to immediately detect a scam and realise when something is suspicious in nature. Scammers will always prey on those with a good, trusting nature. They often do this through a term known as “social engineering.”

What is social engineering?
Social engineering is defined as “the manipulation of the natural human tendency to trust”, and it is this natural inclination that criminals take advantage of. Usually, the criminals aim to prey on people’s emotions and get them feeling rather than thinking. The could either be a sob story or preying on people’s greed. One of the biggest tactics they use is pressure. This could be time related. “If you don’t do this in 5 minutes, you’re going to be in big trouble”. Or financial, “unless you agree to this, you’re going to lose thousands.” The criminal puts the victim under pressure to decide without allowing them the time to think it through.”
The Little book of Big Scams

Social isolation
Loneliness and social isolation can be a key driver for scammers and a direct route into forming a relationship of trust. This can be particularly true of telephone and internet swindles. Fraudsters can use these delicate living circumstances to their advantage by building a false feeling of friendship and care for the victim, making the scam feel very convincing.

Dementia and cognitive decline
Dementia and age-related cognitive decline can leave older adults incredibly vulnerable to scams. Older adults who experience memory loss, confusion and mental health related conditions will find it particularly difficult to detect a scam, making them a prime target.

Scams targeting older adults
There are various scams that currently affect not only the older adults but the wider population across the UK too. The impact of being defrauded can have severe consequences that include financial loss, emotional destress, fear, betrayal, and depression. Often feelings of shame and embarrassment can prevent those who have fallen victim to a scam prevent them from reporting it to the appropriate authorities, leaving them vulnerable and isolated in their distress.

It can be worrying to think that there are so many scams that we must be aware of, but with the right education and information on how to protect ourselves and our loved ones, we can limit the risk of becoming directly affected.

Email scams

Emails scams can take on various forms. Common examples include:
Phishing scam – From sources that you trust such as government bodies such as HMRC, promising tax refunds. Others may include emails offering you a heating / insulation payment. These emails often ask you to input your personal details, such as bank details for payment, address, and DOB.
Email hacking – These emails are often from someone you know, where their email has been hacked by the scammer posing as them.
Fake websites – Scammers can create false websites that often sell goods at a “too good to be true” price. These emails can also take the form of your banking website or a delivery or postage company. Again, usually asking for personal details to be inputted.
Emails that ask for financial help from someone you do not know that is in crisis.

How to manage email scams
If you are worried about the email you have received, you can take the following steps to minimise risk:

Do not open the email.
Do not open any links.
If you have received an email that is from someone you know, check with them if they have sent it before you open anything.
Ask a loved one to check the email for you.
If the email is from a well-known organisation, bank, or government body, give them a ring. They can help you report the scam and give you support on how to block any unwanted future emails.
Set up protection on your email that will send potential scams directly to your junk folder.
Change your email address and regularly change your passwords to prevent your email from being hacked.
Ensure that you have adequate internet protection on your devices.

Postal scams
These scams are usually financially driven, often implying that you either owe money or have won it. Below are a few common examples:

Outstanding unpaid bills – Letters from trusted companies or even companies that you do not use, requesting payment for outstanding balances.
Inheritance – Letters directly addressed to you that say you have unclaimed inheritance. Very realistic, detailing information such as legal firms, websites, and postal company addresses.
Big Win – Letters claiming that you have won the lottery, again with very realistic information, such as websites and direct contact details to claim your prize.
Investment schemes – These ask you to make payments and recruit others in return for getting more out of their investments.
Help – Letters that ask you for help from an unknown person. These often tap directly into your emotions with stories that are designed to make you feel guilty and sorry for the scammer. Such as individuals being stranded and without money, needing help with their families and medical support.

How to manage postal scams

If you receive a post from an organisation that you do not recognise, throw it away.
With all post, check the source or ask someone to check it for you if you are worried.
Do use any of the information given to contact them directly, by email, phone, post or by visiting their website.
Age UK suggests joining the following organisations to help protect you from future postal scams:
www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/scammarshals
www.mpsonline.org.uk

Phone scams
These are particularly popular amongst scammers. In the UK, AI has recently come to the forefront in helping to protect the older population from phone scamming through the creation of an AI robot has been designed to keep scammers on the phone for as long as possible, reducing the number of calls that scammers make to real people. This recent creation is making a substantial difference in protecting those vulnerable to phone scamming. Some popular phone scams are:

Council tax, HMRC, mobile, bank scams – These calls can sometimes be automated, requesting that you give them a call and leave you with what looks like a national number. They can be requesting payment for unpaid tax bills or to make payment adjustments.
Computer – These scams usually involve being informed that there is something wrong with your pc or device, that it has been hacked or has a virus. Their aim is to install software onto your PC, giving them access to your details.
Banking – Often frighteningly convincing, you may be informed that they have discovered some fraudulent activity on your account, and you have lost thousands or may be in danger of losing more of your money. You will be asked for your banking details including information such as your pin.
Insurance / accident claims – Such as car accidents you have had that imply you are entitled to compensation.
Mobile phone – From providers that you are either with or ones that you do not or have never used. Offering upgrades, deals or requesting payments for outstanding bills or new contracts. As well as calls, you may also receive texts and links directly to your mobile that are scams. These again can be from trusted providers such as Royal Mail.
Sale – Cold calls that aim to persuade you to buy something or enter a scheme that gives you certain benefits.

How to manage phone scams

Be vigilant when your phone rings, have a look at the number before you answer, do you recognise it? Is it a mobile, landline or national number. The number can give you a clue before you decide to answer. If you are unsure, switch it off.
You can hang up: If you feel the call is fraud, do not stay on the line, simply hang up. You are not obliged to say anything and have ultimate control over taking calls.
Block numbers: If you have received a scam call you can block the number. If you are unsure how to do this, ask a trusted friend or family member to assist you.
Report any scam texts. Age UK suggests using 7726, your mobile provider will then be alerted to any potential scam texts.
Of you have received a call from a supposed organisation, company or bank provider. Find their details and give them a call to check. Never use details of the scammers.

Doorstep scams
Again, there are various doorstep frauds, below are a few to look out for.

Door to door sales: Individuals offering goods heavily discounted, time limits on buying goods to take advantage of an offer and pushy tactics, such items limited in stock.
Impersonation: Individuals posing as trusted members of authority such as police, banking staff, utility provider officers or charity collectors. They may request permission to enter your home or ask for personal information.
Home entry for help: Individuals who appear unwell or in trouble who ask for your help by being granted permission to enter your home.

How to manage doorstep scams

Security – Do not leave your door unlocked. Ensure that your doors are locked and invest in a key chain so that if you do answer the door, you have that extra security.
Before you answer the door, see who it is. If you are unsure, do not answer.
Join the neighbourhood watch scheme.
Stay in contact with neighbours, together you can detect any suspicious activity.
If feel that a scammer has come to your door, you can report it to the police by calling 101 or reporting it online at: www.police.uk/pu/contact-us

How can we protect our loved ones further?
It is crucial that we take steps to protect our loved ones from all types of fraud as much as possible. A straightforward way is by communicating with your loved and openly talking on a regular basis about scams. You can check their mobiles and devices regularly with permission and install the right security and software, giving them that extra protection.

Staying in touch regularly throughout the week means you can enquire about visitors to the house and any calls they may have received. Staying in communication with their neighbours will also provide you with valuable information as to who may be in the area or anything they may have noticed that is out of the ordinary.

Financial protection is also important, many older people now have a power of attorney to ensure that their assets, pensions, and savings are protected and require further authorisation. Check bank accounts regularly and check outgoings.

Lastly educate your loved ones on common scams that are currently taking place. You can discuss things such as tactics that scammers are likely to use, for example:

Requests for payments or bank / PIN details.
Sob stories that make you feel guilty or sorry for them encouraging you to part with money.
Pressure tactics, such as being told you must decide immediately.
You owe money, you have won money.
Scams targeting older adults is an ongoing issue with scammers honing their craft continuously and creating new strangles to get what they want. It requires everyone to work together, passing on their knowledge and experiences so that scammers are constantly under the surveillance of the public eye and the authorities. Only then can they be exposed and prosecuted for their crimes, preventing them from causing further damage to our more vulnerable members of society. Giving your loved ones the tools to recognise a scammer will give you peace of mind and them the confidence to be aware and understand how scams may affect them. More importantly they will know that should anything happen; they have your support and someone to turn to in their hour of need.