Raise your hand if you keep getting those texts saying that you owe money for passing through a toll booth on the turnpike, even though you never did. Or maybe your inbox is flooded with emails trying to bill you for something you never paid for. Or perhaps you're constantly fielding voicemails where the sheriff or the IRS is threatening to come take you away. These are just a few examples of scams that have become so common that almost everyone has experienced them in one way or another.
Unfortunately, there's an incredibly long list of scams to be wary of. Read on to learn about common scams circulating within our country as well as signs to help you identify them. These dead giveaways should garner suspicion and keep you from jumping straight into the traps that have been set.
Scammers are continuously harnessing the latest technology and becoming cleverer over time so you must remain ever vigilant. Seniors are particularly susceptible to scams and often targeted due to this fact. By learning what scams to be on guard against, you'll not only help yourself, but have the capabilities of helping your loved ones and your clients.
1. The Imposter Scam. One of the most common scams is when the scammer impersonates someone of importance such as a government official, tax collector, utility company, or postal service. They will contact you first and either ask for personal information, such as your password or social security number, or pressure you into making an immediate payment. Alternatively, the scammer might choose to impersonate your boss or bank, if they have that information. They might request strange forms of payment such as gift cards or wire transfers or simply go after your credit card number. They might even spoof their phone number to look legitimate or grant themselves the same area code as you to further convince you this is the real deal.
Scammers will always try to bring about a sense of urgency. Depending on who they're posing as, they might threaten immediate arrest or termination. Their goal is to apply pressure, imbue panic, keep you on the line, and gain access to your money as quickly as possible. Instead, take a deep breath and pause. Know that government agencies and banks will never demand payments over the phone or threaten immediate arrest. If you want to double check this is real, get off the phone and call a legitimate number. For example, if you're not sure that you're talking to your boss, hang up and reach out to them through a known medium to confirm if they really did want you to buy a $100 dollar gift card for the company picnic.
2. The Grandparent/Grandchild Scam. Artificial intelligence has brought about new levels of disturbing in the world of scams. Voice-cloning technology has allowed scammers to create fake voices that can mimic the sound of your loved ones with a single recording of their voice. Scammers are using it to call seniors and pose as their grandchildren, pretending to be in jail, injured, or stranded. They ask for money and secrecy, begging the grandparent not to tell anyone.
This scam can appear in other forms as well, such as a daughter pretending to be kidnapped and crying for their parent to pay a ransom. The scammers will threaten her life if you try to hang up. It's a terrifying situation, but it has the same solution as the Imposter Scam: try to call your loved one and verify if the situation is real or not.
For seniors who are worried about this happening to them, some states have financial exploitation laws that allow banks to put a hold on suspicious withdrawals. Attorneys can help seniors set up legal safeguards like trusted contacts and financial power of attorney to prevent unauthorized withdrawals. If you're a knowledgeable elder law attorney and handle this type of work all the time, be sure to join us in Harrisburg for our Elder Law Institute this summer!
3. The Tech Support Scam. This is when a scammer pretends to be a Microsoft, Apple, or antivirus company representative, warning that your computer is infected. The fraudster tricks you into granting remote access, allowing them to steal personal information or demand payment for fake services. This scam can appear as an email or as an alarming popup that tries to invoke fear. It will encourage you to call a number and that's when the scammer will ask you to give them control of your device.
Another way to spot scams is to read emails very carefully. Check the address and domain of the sender. Look for typos in the body of the email. Google if anyone else has gotten the same message and can confirm it's a scam. Scam emails don't usually appear professional and are littered with errors...but that doesn't mean they're not making efforts to break that stereotype. Proceed with caution and never click any suspicious links within these emails!
4. The Sweetheart Scam. Many lonely hearts have fallen victim to this "catfishing" scam. A catfish is someone who pretends to be someone they are not online, with the goal of luring you into a romantic relationship and/or draining your wallet. They're banking on an emotional connection to manipulate you. After exchanging sweet nothings, the catfish will fake an emergency or express their desire to visit you. However, they never have the money for medical bills or travel expenses and it's on you to provide it.
The biggest red flag of this scam: You will be hard-pressed to ever get them on a video call, because these scammers use fake pictures of beautiful men and women. If you try to, they will most likely have an excuse as to why they cannot facetime you or meet you in person. They will keep the focus on you sending money, instead.
5. The Too-Good-To-Be-True Scam. Congratulations, you've won the sweepstakes! The prize? A hefty sum of money and a free vacation! Claim your prize before it's too late! The only problem is...you never entered this sweepstakes. Sometimes scammers try to thrill you in order to drop your guard. Unfortunately, these scenarios are often too good to be true and are probably one click away from asking you to pay some kind of fee.
In conclusion, if you ever suspect a scam, take a moment to stop and think instead of succumbing to panic or excitement. Verify the source of the message you received. Refuse to share your personal information with all unsolicited callers, no matter what they're threatening. Take the time to warn others so they don't fall prey.
Scammers may continue to evolve their tactics but knowing the red flags and always staying on guard can help you stay one step ahead. Whether you’re an attorney, caregiver, or simply looking to protect yourself and your loved ones, education is the best defense!
