Protecting Our Seniors – Understand and Preventing Scams

As our population ages, seniors increasingly become targets for a variety of scams. These fraudulent schemes can have devastating financial and emotional impacts on older adults, who may be more vulnerable due to factors such as isolation, cognitive decline, or simply a trusting nature. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been proactive in issuing warnings and providing guidance to help protect seniors from these threats. This article will delve into the nature of scams targeting seniors, what to be on guard for, awareness and protection strategies, IRS advice, and steps to take if one falls victim to a scam.

Understanding the Threats – Scammers employ a range of tactics to deceive seniors, often posing as representatives from government agencies, familiar businesses, or charities. The IRS, in its news release IR-2024-164, highlights the rising threat of impersonation scams targeting older adults. These fraudsters use fear and deceit to exploit their victims, often pressuring them into making immediate payments through unconventional methods such as gift cards or wire transfers.

Common Scams Targeting Seniors
• Impersonation of Known Entities: Fraudsters often pose as representatives from government agencies like the IRS, Social Security Administration, or Medicare. By spoofing caller IDs, they can deceive victims into believing they are receiving legitimate communications. These scammers may claim that the victim owes money, is due a refund, or needs to verify personal information.

• Claims of Problems or Prizes: Scammers frequently fabricate urgent scenarios, such as outstanding debts or promises of significant prize winnings. Victims may be falsely informed that they owe the IRS money, are owed a tax refund, need to verify accounts, or must pay fees to claim non-existent lottery winnings.

• Pressure for Immediate Action: These deceitful actors create a sense of urgency, demanding that victims take immediate action without allowing time for reflection. Common tactics include threats of arrest, deportation, license suspension, or computer viruses to coerce quick compliance.

• Specified Payment Methods: To complicate traceability, scammers insist on unconventional payment methods, including cryptocurrency, wire transfers, payment apps, or gift cards. They often require victims to provide sensitive information like gift card numbers.

Awareness and Protection Strategies
Awareness is the first line of defense against scams. Seniors and their caregivers should be educated about the common tactics used by scammers and the red flags to watch for.

Tips for Seniors:

• Verify the Source: Always verify the identity of the person or organization contacting you. If you receive a call, email, or text message claiming to be from the IRS or another government agency, do not provide any personal information. Instead, contact the agency directly using a verified phone number or website.

• Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Communications: Be cautious of unsolicited communications, especially those that request personal information or immediate payment. Legitimate organizations will not ask for sensitive information through unsecured channels.

• Do Not Rush: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure victims into making hasty decisions. Take your time to verify the legitimacy of the request and consult with a trusted family member or friend before taking any action.

• Use Secure Payment Methods: Avoid making payments through unconventional methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Legitimate organizations will not request payment using these procedures.

• Monitor Financial Accounts: Regularly monitor your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions. Report any suspicious activity to your financial institution immediately.

Tips for Caregivers
• Educate and Communicate: Regularly discuss potential scams with the seniors in your care. Ensure they understand the common tactics used by scammers and encourage them to reach out to you if they receive any suspicious communications.

• Set Up Protections: Help seniors set up protections such as fraud alerts on their credit reports and two-factor authentication on their online accounts.

• Monitor Communications: If possible, monitor the mail, phone calls, and emails that the senior receives. This can help identify potential scams before any damage is done.

• Encourage Reporting: Encourage seniors to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities. Reporting scams can help prevent others from falling victim to the same schemes.

IRS Advice and Resources – The IRS has been actively engaged in efforts to protect taxpayers, including seniors, from scams and identity theft. The Security Summit partnership between the IRS, state tax agencies, and the nation’s tax professional community has been working since 2015 to combat these threats. Remember that:
• The IRS will never demand immediate payment via prepaid debit cards, gift cards or wire transfers. Typically, if taxes are owed, the IRS will send a bill by mail first.

• The IRS will never threaten to involve local police or other law enforcement agencies.

• The IRS will never demand payment without allowing opportunities to dispute or appeal.

• The IRS will never request credit, debit or gift card numbers over the phone.

Key IRS Recommendations
• Know the IRS Communication Methods: The IRS will never initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text message, or social media to request personal or financial information. Initial contact is typically made through a mailed letter.

• Questions or Concerns About Your Taxes: Contact your tax professional.

• Report Scams: If you receive a suspicious communication claiming to be from the IRS, report it to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov. You can also report scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov/complaint.

• Protect Personal Information: Be cautious about sharing personal information. The IRS advises taxpayers to use strong passwords, secure their devices, and be wary of phishing attempts.

• Seek Professional Help: If you believe your identity has been compromised, contact this office immediately. The IRS has special provisions for victims of identity theft to protect their tax filings.

What to Do if Scammed – Despite all precautions, scams can still happen. If you or a loved one falls victim to a scam, it’s important to act quickly to minimize the damage. Immediate steps to take:
• Stop Communication: Cease all communication with the scammer immediately. Do not provide any further personal information or make any additional payments.

• Report the Scam: Report the scam to the appropriate authorities. This includes the IRS, the FTC, and your local law enforcement. Reporting the scam can help authorities track down the perpetrators and prevent others from being victimized.

• Contact Financial Institutions: Notify your bank, credit card companies, and any other financial institutions involved. They can help you monitor your accounts for fraudulent activity and take steps to protect your assets.

• Place Fraud Alerts: Place a fraud alert on your credit reports with the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). This can help prevent further identity theft.

• Review Credit Reports: Obtain and review your credit reports for any unauthorized accounts or activities. You are entitled to a free credit report from each of the major credit bureaus once a year through www.annualcreditreport.com. You may even want to put a freeze on your credit, which will help prevent fraudsters from opening credit accounts in your name or accessing your credit reports. To do so you’ll need to contact the three major consumer credit bureaus. The drawback to doing so is the inconvenience of contacting the credit bureaus again if you need to lift the freeze on your credit card(s).

• Secure Personal Information: Change passwords and security questions on your online accounts. Consider using a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords.

Long-Term Steps
• Monitor Accounts: Continue to monitor your financial accounts and credit reports regularly for any signs of fraudulent activity.

• Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest scams and fraud prevention strategies. The IRS and other organizations regularly update their websites with new information and resources.

• Seek Support: Falling victim to a scam can be emotionally distressing. Seek support from family, friends, or professional counselors if needed.

• Legal Assistance: In some cases, it may be necessary to seek legal assistance to resolve issues related to identity theft or financial fraud.
Scams targeting seniors are a growing concern, but with awareness and proactive measures, older adults can be protected from these threats. By staying informed, verifying communications, and taking swift action, when necessary, seniors and their caregivers can safeguard against fraud and ensure financial security.
Remember, if you or a loved one is ever in doubt about a communication or request, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Reach out to trusted family members, friends, or professionals for advice and support. Together, we can create a safer environment for our seniors and help them enjoy their golden years without the fear of falling victim to scams.