Imagine receiving a call that will change your life forever, a call filled with urgency, authority, and deception so convincing that even the most cautious can fall prey. Barb G's story is one that no family should ever have to endure. She emailed us saying her elderly mother, a former accountant and a sharp, independent woman, had fallen victim to an elaborate scam that drained her life savings and exploited her trust.
“Not only was my 82 year old mother defrauded out of her entire savings, but after they drained her accounts, they then pretended to be the FBI. They told her she had been scammed and that they needed to 'protect' her. They said they would send a car to pick her up in 20 minutes“.
The emotional impact of such scams on seniors is immeasurable, leaving victims and their families grappling with feelings of betrayal, fear and helplessness. Here's how this scam appears and what you can do to protect yourself.
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Woman browsing her mobile phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
How the scam played out
This was no ordinary scam. It involved manipulation, intimidation and psychological tactics so sophisticated that her mother was taken for three and a half hours to a Bitcoin machine and forced to max out her credit cards. As Barb further narrated, “Then, they dropped her off at a hotel…and asked her not to contact anyone or leave the hotel for three days. They had someone watch the hotel to ‘protect’ her.”
Even after her family rescued her, the crooks hit her again. This time, they convinced her to hand over another $20,000, seizing on the faint hope that she might still get the promised million dollars. Barb's words reflect sentiments shared by many families:
“Even when someone knows they've been scammed, there's still a part of them that thinks the whole thing might be real.”
Woman on her mobile phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
Understand brushing scams and how to protect yourself
The growing threat of fraud to seniors
Stories like Barb's are becoming alarmingly common. Scammers target seniors for several reasons: they often have accumulated savings, may be less familiar with modern technology, and are more likely to trust strangers. According to the Federal Trade Commission, seniors lose billions of dollars annually to fraud. The psychological toll is equally devastating, leaving victims feeling ashamed, isolated and afraid.
Woman browsing her mobile phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
Intrusive scammers drain bank account in vicious phone phishing scheme
Common tactics used by scammers
Scammers use a variety of deceptive strategies to exploit unsuspecting victims. Here are some of the most common tactics they use:
- Impersonation operations: Pretend as government officials, law enforcement or family members
- Prize and lottery scams: Convincing victims that they have won a prize that requires payment up front
- Technical support scams: presentation Fake technical help For remote access to devices
- Romance Tricks: Build trust over time to exploit emotional vulnerability
- Emergency scams: Pretend that a loved one is in danger and needs immediate financial assistance
Illustration of a technology scam (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
Your email has not expired, it's just another scam
Tips to protect yourself and your loved ones
Recognizing the red flags is essential to avoid becoming a victim of scams. Here are some important red flags you should be aware of.
Unwanted calls or emails: Be wary of anyone asking for personal or financial information. Legitimate organizations will not request sensitive information in this way.
Urgent requests for payment: Fraudsters often demand immediate action to avoid scrutiny. Take a minute to check the request through official channels before responding.
Unfamiliar contact information: Be careful if the contact information provided does not match the official contact details of the company or organization.
Untraceable payment methods: Requests to pay via gift cards, cryptocurrencies, or bank transfers are major warning signs. Reputable companies will not ask for these types of payments.
Offers too good to be true: If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Research and verify any claims before continuing.
Illustration of a technology scam (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
8 ways to protect yourself from fraud
Protecting yourself and your loved ones from scams requires vigilance and awareness. Here are eight effective ways to protect against scammers:
1) Check before you act: Always check the identity of the person or organization contacting you. Use official contact information to reach out directly and confirm the legitimacy of the request.
2) Limit sharing of personal information: Avoid sharing personal or financial information over the phone, email, or online unless you are sure of the recipient's identity and legitimacy.
3) Invest in personal data removal services: Consider using a service that specializes in removing your personal information from the Internet to reduce your exposure to potential scammers. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.
4) Monitoring financial accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unusual or unauthorized transactions. Immediately report any suspicious activity.
5) Enable security features: Use strong, unique passwords for all your accounts and consider using Password manager To create and store complex passwords. Also, enable Two workers Authentication For an extra layer of security.
6) Be skeptical of unsolicited requestsTreat unexpected requests for money or personal information with caution. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you to act quickly.
7) Use powerful antivirus software: Make sure your devices are protected with powerful antivirus software that can detect and block malicious activity. The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware, and potentially access your private information, is to install antivirus software on all of your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best antivirus protection winners of 2024 for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
8) Report suspected fraud: If you suspect fraud, report it to your local authorities, the Federal Trade Commission, and any relevant financial institutions.
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Key takeaways for Kurt
Scams are getting sneakier, but you're getting smarter. Trust your intuition and remember: if you feel something, it probably is. Don't let the fear of scams isolate you or your loved ones. Instead, follow these tips so you can outsmart the scammers and keep your hard-earned money where it belongs: in your pockets. Remember, it's not about paranoia. It's about being prepared. So, the next time you get that urgent call or that too-good-to-be-true offer, take a deep breath and ask yourself: “What would Barb's mother do differently now?”
Do you think the government, companies or both should take greater responsibility in preventing senior citizen scams and what specific actions should they take? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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