Get Scam Savvy: Essential Scam Prevention Tips for Seniors

Spreading awareness can be the best way to protect seniors from fraudsters 

“Hi Grandma, it’s James. I’m so sorry to call you like this but – I’m in trouble. I’ve been arrested. I tried to explain to the police but they won’t listen. I don’t want to call mom; she will be so worried. They said they just need $3000 bail and I can be released. I didn’t know who else To call. Can you help me?” 

Hopefully this is a call or email you’ll never receive. Not just because you’d never want your grandson afraid and alone in a cell, but equally because most people who receive this message are in fact the victim of a crime. This message is fake. Scripted. Sometimes it’s even created using AI to duplicate the sound if your loved one’s voice. The details may be different: the concern may be a car accident or the victim might be a beloved niece, but the purpose is the same: to get your money.  

The grandparents scam is just one of many longstanding plots to con seniors, and while word is spreading, innocent people as still being convinced to send their money every day. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, these specific grandparent scams resulted in11.3 million in losses in 2023. The ploy sounds real, the actors are often convincing, and the solution to send money seems like a quick solution. 

So how can you protect yourself? 

First, hang up on the call immediately if the call comes through the phone. Call your grandson directly. If you can’t reach him, call his mom. Better yet, now that you know about the scam, discuss it with your family and organize a safe word or question that you can ask for if there is a real emergency. Make it something that’s not readily available online as scammers check online profiles to collect information. Check with the police. Check security sites like Cyber Seniors that can help verify what these scripts sound like and includes a discussion forum where you can ask your own questions. Don’t send money to unfamiliar addresses without verifying them and don’t offer any personal information like credit card numbers over the phone or through unfamiliar sites online. 

Different message, same mode: get your money 

“Hey beautiful. You look too young to be on a site like this. What’s your sign? I’m a Gemini. Want to chat?“

Not wanting to seem repetitive here, but hopefully this is a message you’ll never receive. Not because you are not worthy of a new romance, but because seniors can be vulnerable to romance scams, yet another target of sophisticated fraudsters out to get your money. And it’s not just on dating apps, you can be approached on Facebook or even via email with this flirty sounding line. Again, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre said that romance scams cost 945 victims more than $50 million in 2023. And that’s likely a huge underestimate, with only 5 to 10 percent of victims actually reporting their experience.  These are even more insidious as they cause extreme seminal distress and also happen over months and even years as these savvy Romeos (and Juliets, but fewer) try use flattery and take advantage of loneliness to build what seems like companionship before going after their ultimate target: your money. 

Again, the best way to protect yourself is to tell friends and family, ask questions,  and never send money no matter how genuine the story sounds. If you do send money, know that you are unlikely to get it back. Know too that many romance cover stories are similar, often someone with a good excuse for being unavailable, such as military service. Search online for the cover story you’ve received and you’ll see that it may match many others already out there. If you do start becoming suspicious, report your experience to the police. Yes, it can be embarrassing, especially if you’ve already sent money. But you can help save others from fraud, and yourself from further damage. 

These are just two examples of common scams, but many more are unfortunately in Play with seniors as a major target. Check out the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for a searchable directory plus advice on how to fight back.   

Some other top tips for improving your online security include: 

• Only use reputable websites for online shopping and aim for brands you already trust 

• Only use secure payment methods such as credit cards or PayPal 

• Don’t  share sensitive information like social insurance numbers or bank account details 

• Use strong, unique passwords and avoid using the same password multiple times. Use a password manager to securely store and manage your passwords 

• Keep your devices secure by updating devices and installing reliable antivirus software. to protect against malware and viruses.  

• Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks for online shopping, as they may be insecure 

If you put all if these tips into practice, you’ll be more secure online and more protected against scams. And one more tip, or maybe a favour – share this information with a friend so you can pass it forward and help another friend avoid the fraudsters too.