GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – World Elder Abuse Day was recognized over the weekend, and Better Business Bureau says there are ways elders can protect themselves.
Elder abuse hits 1 out of 6 elders and comes in many forms.
That can take place whether it is psychological, financial, emotional, physical, sexual or neglect.”
Susan Bach of the Better Business Bureau says elders can be more vulnerable especially when it comes to scams using technology.
“They are not as tech-savvy as the scammers who are reaching out to them, that is also a contributing factor,” Bach said. “They are often isolated and that makes them vulnerable because they don’t have the people around them to help them recognize that it is a fraud.”
Common Scams Targeting Seniors
- Grandparent (relative in trouble) scams
- lottery/sweepstakes scams
- home improvement scams
- telemarketing scams
- Imposter scams (scammers pretending to be Medicare, tech support, IRS)
How to recognize scams
- Is the salesperson using high-pressure sales tactics?
- Are you being asked to pay upfront fees?
- Are you being told that you won a contest that you didn’t enter?
- Have you been scammed in the past?
- Did you receive unsolicited mail, emails, in-home visit or phone calls for services that you were not seeking?
How To Protect Yourself
- Sign up for the Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov and call blocking features provided by your phone provider.
- When no longer needed, shred junk mail, old bills, bank statements and any other documents that have personal identifying information.
- Don’t give out personal information over the phone unless you originated the call and you know with whom you are talking.
- It is ok to be rude. If a salesperson calls you or comes to your door who does not seem to be taking no for an answer, it is ok to terminate the conversation.
- Never sign something that you don’t understand. Have a trusted and unbiased professional assist you when entering contracts or signing legal documents.
- If you hire someone for personal assistance services, in home care services, etc. ensure that they have been properly screened with criminal background checks completed.
