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Most Prevalent Scams Targeting The Elderly

Donna Nichols • March 20, 2021

Learn to spot the scams that are targeting the elderly and how to stop them!

There are so many scams out there targeting the elderly, why, you ask?

Because people think the elderly don’t know any better and are easy targets.

As advocates for the elderly , let’s fix that myth right now.

First, let’s look at the most common scams out there:

1. Medicare and social security are the top two scams right now .

The most important thing for you to know is that Medicare and social security do not call you and ask for sensitive information!!!

These scammers will pose as representatives and ask for your social security number, date of birth, Medicare number, etc. Once they have your pertinent information, they have everything!!

Do NOT fall for this scam!!

SOLUTION: If you are unsure about a caller, ask their name and call back number, then call the company they claim to represent and check it out. If they won’t give you their information, BOOM, you have them right there!!

2. Calls acting like Grandchildren

Scammers are becoming more innovative every day, especially since COVID. People have been out of work and have a lot of time on their hands to devise ways to get you to give them your money. Some have even sunk so low as to pretend to be a grandchild of yours and act as if they are in trouble so you will send them money.

This is a very sneaky scam and really plays on the elderly person’s emotions.

  • The caller asks if they know who’s calling and when you say the name of one of your grandchildren, they pretend to be them
  • They tell you they are in financial trouble and need cash fast.
  • They ask you to send it to Western Union and not mention it to anyone.

SOLUTION : If you receive a call like this, ask questions only you and your grandchild would know the answers to.

Not yes or no questions, something like where did we go on your 8th birthday? If the caller doesn’t know the answer, they’re not your grandchild.

3. Clicking on links within Email

Here’s one that happens every day to everyone: the INTERNET!!!!

Do NOT click on any links or emails that ask you for your banking information or any other sensitive data!!! You can’t undo the damage once they have your financial info.

Remember, all these people want is your money!! You worked hard for your money, DON’T let them have it!!

Sometimes they’ll call and tell you you won the lottery, but you need to send them so much money to claim the prize. Don’t send them money!! If you won the lottery, it wouldn’t cost you anything until tax time. They’ll say, you just won the lottery, please send $5,000,000.00 euro to . . . and we will send your winnings right away. Don’t do it!!!

Here’s one email I receive all the time,

dear friend, you have just won the European lottery, reply with your bank account information so we can deposit the money into your account.

Nope! Don’t think so!! Don’t YOU do it either.

Past Due Debt From Deceased Loved One

Here’s another scam where they don’t target you, but your family members.

If you or your spouse passed away, scammers will use the obituary to find out details about the deceased person.

They then contact family members stating they had a past-due debt that needs to be paid immediately. These people know the family members are in a vulnerable state and are most likely to go ahead and pay the debt.

Funeral directors can be shady also, they can try to sell you services you don’t need. Some have tried to sell caskets to people whose loved ones are being cremated.

SOLUTION : Don’t pay it unless you have contacted the company and get it in writing as to what they owe. 

Tax Fraud

Tax fraud is another scam, people pose as IRS representatives and claim you owe back taxes. Sometimes they say you will go to jail if the debt isn’t paid immediately. These are normally done via email as well.

SOLUTION : The IRS sends letters on IRS letterhead, when replying, ALWAYS send it certified and do NOT send cash. Make sure you keep records of everything you send the IRS.

The website, https://www.usa.gov/stop-scams-frauds , has a list of numbers where you can report any kind of fraud. Utilize it if you think you are a victim of fraud!!

These people are really good at what they do, but you don’t have to be a victim. If you don’t feel right about it, it’s probably not right!

Ask questions! Knowledge is power!!

If you need help or encouragement as a Caregiver give us a call at  386-847-2322  or check out our  Caregiver Support Group. Our  Senior Advisors  are here to walk with you through this journey.

Make Valentine’s Day Special for Seniors

By Donna Nichols • February 5, 2025
Valentine’s Day tends to zero in on romantic love, but what about our seniors? They too often get forgotten. We have some ways to make Valentine’s Day special for them too. Spend the day with your loved one. Spending quality time with a loved one is more important to a senior than anything else. There is no greater gift than time and please make sure you have enough, so you are not rushed. Do your elderly loved one have a favorite meal? Perhaps you can prepare it for them, or if they are able, you can prepare it together. How fun would that be for you both? Be sure to discuss the enjoyment it brought you while you are sharing the meal together. How about a game of name that love song? You could prepare a playlist of love songs from the generation and play them to see how many they get correct. Or, if you can sing, you can sing some for them and see if they can recollect them. Take some time for reminiscing, go through old photo albums, or ask about old times. Ask them about when you were young and what trouble you caused; this will give you all something to laugh (or cry) about. Has your loved one been cooped up all winter? Take them out for a nice lunch, or weather permitting, a picnic in the park. Go for coffee and a donut, then head out to see a movie. Make a “date” of it. Maybe your senior is into crafts. You can design special Valentine’s Day cards for other family members. This way your senior can express their love for them and send it to them in their own unique way. You can create other greeting cards as well. Bake some special treats together. Does your senior have some favorite cookies or cake? You could bake it together, or you can bake it for them. Then you can enjoy it after you have the meal you prepared together. Yummy, delicious!! You can watch some romantic movies together if they prefer to stay in the house or the weather isn’t so good. If they like to color, you can buy them some of those large coloring books and you can color together. Don’t forget the decorations and the flowers! Make the house or apartment as festive as possible. Even if they live in as assisted living community, you can still decorate their room to the nines! Make it as festive as possible! If you live in another state or can’t be close to your senior for Valentine’s Day, how about sending them a specially crafted care package. You can hand make some gifts, add some photos of family and friends, and send a personally recorded message. You can bake some homemade treats and incorporate some things that are of personal interest to them. This will show how much you care for them and make their Valentine’s Day extra special even if you can’t be with them.  There are so many ways to make Valentine’s Day special for seniors. Let’s not forget about them; make sure to show them they are so loved too!

February is National Heart Month

By Donna Nichols • February 4, 2025
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Hydration Tips for the Winter

By Donna Nichols • January 8, 2025
I’ve written many blogs about the importance of staying hydrated in the summer, but did you know it’s just as important to stay hydrated in the winter months? I’ve shared some important tips on how to stay hydrated in the winter and why. Cold, dry air can dehydrate you easily and quickly. Even if you don’t feel thirsty. Proper hydration can help regulate your body temperature, maintain healthy organ function, and prevent fatigue, dry skin, and headaches. In the colder months, you do not feel thirsty, that’s why it’s so important to make sure you drink plenty of water. Why is winter hydration so important? Colder air tends to be drier causing moisture to evaporate through your breathing which can cause dehydration. In colder weather, you may not feel as thirsty, causing you to become dehydrated quickly. Also, wearing more clothing traps sweat inside your clothing causing more fluid loss. What are some of the benefits of staying hydrated in the winter? • Drinking enough water helps keep your skin hydrated and prevents dryness. This will help with that dry, itchy skin feeling we all get in the winter. • Water helps your body maintain a regular core temperature. Which is so important to maintain in the winter. • Drinking plenty of water supports your immune system, which helps fight off winter colds and the flu. We all want to fight those germs off! • When you are dehydrated, you become tired easily, so drinking plenty of water helps keep your energy levels up. How do you stay hydrated in the winter? • Make sure you drink plenty of water. Set reminders if you must; you probably won’t feel as thirsty in the winter, but you need to keep drinking that water! • You don’t have to drink cold water; room temperature water works. You can also drink tea or water with lemon, as long as you’re getting your water. • If you’re going out, carry a water bottle with you to ensure you have water to drink. • Eat fruits and vegetables that contain water. Tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries, watermelon, cauliflower, mushrooms, cucumber, apples, and pineapple are just a few that contain high water contents. • If you think you’re dehydrated, check your urine; if it’s a darker color, that can suggest dehydration. Urine should be a pale, yellow color. As you can see, staying hydrated in the winter is just as important as staying hydrated in the summer, if not more. In the winter you don’t realize you are thirsty therefore you tend not to drink as much water as you should. This has the potential of wreaking havoc on your body. Please make sure you drink plenty of water in the wintertime as you do in the summertime. We have rebranded our company, we are now Assisted Senior Services! Call us for ANYTHING SENIOR!! 386-847-2322!
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