Identity Theft Archives - Wealth Building Tips

Caution elders to protect their finances from scammers.

Seniors need to be aware of scam prevention. They are often scammers’ favorite targets. Financial stability and seniors trusting nature make them vulnerable victims. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), seniors lose an estimated $3 billion annually to scammers, with nearly 1 in 10 seniors in the United States falling victim to some form of financial fraud.

Never Share Personal or Financial Information

Seniors should be reminded to never share personal or financial information over the phone or online unless they are certain of the recipient’s identity. Installing call-blocking apps and filtering email spam can also help reduce exposure to potential scammers.

Local Community Classes Teach Seniors How to Avoid Scams

Organizations such as the AARP and local community centers offer workshops and resources designed to educate seniors on recognizing and avoiding scams. Furthermore, reporting scams is crucial in combating this growing issue. Victims or their families should report incidents to the FTC or local law enforcement to help track fraudulent activities and prevent others from being targeted. By staying informed and vigilant, seniors and their loved ones can take proactive steps to protect their financial security and enjoy peace of mind.

As technology advances, phone and email scams have become increasingly sophisticated, targeting vulnerable populations such as seniors. The FTC reports that seniors lose an estimated $3 billion annually to scammers.

Scammers are able to influence 1 in 10 seniors in the United States falling victim to some form of financial fraud. This alarming statistic underscores the importance of raising awareness and providing resources to protect older adults from such schemes.

One of the most common scams targeting seniors involves impersonation fraud, where scammers pose as government officials, tech support representatives, or even family members in distress. They use fear tactics to pressure seniors into sending money or providing sensitive information. Another prevalent scam involves fraudulent investment opportunities that promise high returns but ultimately leave victims with significant financial losses.

Education and community support play vital roles in preventing senior fraud. Families should regularly discuss financial safety with their elderly relatives and encourage them to verify the legitimacy of any unexpected requests for money or personal details. Banks and credit unions also offer fraud protection services, which seniors should consider using to add an extra layer of security.

By fostering a culture of awareness and caution, society can help protect seniors from becoming victims of fraud. Through education, technology safeguards, and community vigilance, seniors can maintain their financial independence while avoiding the pitfalls of scams.

"Identity theft leads the Federal Trade Commission's list of top consumer complaints, accounting for 14 percent of all complaints recorded by the government body in 2013." FTC — “Identity theft leads the Federal Trade Commission’s list of top consumer complaints, accounting for 14 percent of all complaints recorded by the government body in 2013.” FTC

Forget the bogey man, dragons and things that go bump in the night. Save the fear factor for the unscrupulous among us who steal our identities and leave us floundering, financially fractured and caught in a web of never-ending effort to prove who we are.

The stories are rampant. Every year, more than 16 million Americans are victimized by computer hackers, mailbox thieves and others who have made a science of cheating their fellowmen. The number probably is higher, because not all incidents are reported. The ill-gotten loot adds up to some $24.7 billion, topping all other property crime losses combined by $10 million.

It seems that everyone you talk to knows someone in their circle of family and friends that has suffered from the ill effects of this crime.

The crooks prefer older persons as targets. They have better credit and more accounts and they tend to be somewhat less tech savvy than today’s perpetrators. They are not as apt to monitor their financial resources as those who have grown up in a digital world.

The AARP conducted a poll among 2,250 older Americans and found that more than 12 percent had had unauthorized items purchased in their name in the past year. Law enforcement is overwhelmed, and few of the fraudulent cases are resolved. Among police agencies, the saying goes that “only the dumb ones get caught.”

How to protect yourself? Here are 10 hints:

1. Locking Mailbox

Get a locking mailbox or use a post office box. Almost 60 percent of Americans report they do not have a locked box, making them prime for the snoops who are looking for identify information.

2. Online Accounts

Get online accounts for all bank and credit cards so information does not go
by post. If you haven’t already gone online, you are part of the 50 percent of Americans who are vulnerable through this route.

3. Clean Car

Never leave personal information in your car. Some 20 percent of Americans in the age group 18 to 49 say they have left a wallet or purse in a locked car over the past week. Those over that age are more prone to be careful, with only 8 percent reporting having left personal items in a car.

4. Shred Documents

Shred documents that contain personal information, such as bank and credit card statements, tax forms and medical bills. Forty-one percent of those over age 50 shred at least once a week.

5. Lock Electronics

Lock devices such as smartphones, laptops and tablets with pass codes to prevent unauthorized use. Some 44 percent of those over 50 say they haven’t set up pass codes on their smartphones.

6. Close Old Credit Accounts

Close out old credit card accounts if you no longer use them. They are tempting come-ons for thieves.

7. Leave Your Social Security Card At Home

Don’t carry your Social Security card. Even the last four digits can give a fraudster enough information to damage your security.

8. Check On Your Bank Account Activity

Regularly check bank account and credit card statements. About 75 percent of Americans who bank online take this precaution.

9. Open Online Accounts With Credit Bureaus

Establish online accounts with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, the three credit reporting agencies. They may help you spot any irregularities in your accounts early. Sixty percent of the country’s citizens haven’t taken this precaution.

10. Set Fraud Alerts

Put fraud alerts on your accounts with the credit agencies and consider a credit freeze. Too many who receive a fraud alert, 84 percent, failed to follow through with fraud alerts on their credit files; fewer than 6 percent considered freezing credit.

Identity Theft

Senior Scam Prevention: Tips for Protecting Your Finances