Protect parents from scams

Jeremy Nachtigall • February 1, 2021

Our elder population is a prime target of scams. Your parents might not realize that scammers have created sophisticated schemes to take advantage of people.


According to a recent New York Times article, fraudsters "are bombarding Americans  with emails and phone calls...to distribute malware and get people to divulge their bank information and other data, which can then be used to defraud the same people."


And especially during these times of economic recession, the  article also notes that “malicious website domains were set up to take advantage of people looking for new forms of government support, according to the security firm Check Point.

Here are a few other practical tips to give your parents when it comes to protecting themselves from possible scams:

 

  • You may need to train your parents not to answer the phone unless they absolutely know who is calling. 
  • If they do answer the phone, tell them not to provide any personal information to callers. 
  • Warn your parents not to answer the call using the word “yes” because their voice may be recorded and then used for voice verification. 
  • Tell them not to respond to any calls telling them they are ‘overpaying for their electric service’ or any offers to lower their electric bills. 
  • Make sure they know not to open emails from unknown senders, not to click on links and not to reply with personal information.

 

If your parents have fallen behind on bills, don't fret. Call the provider and mention that  you are calling on behalf of your parents. The provider will ask if your parents are available to authorize speaking on their behalf. If your parents cannot, explain why you are calling on their behalf. Most providers will work with you.


(this blog post is part of a series - click here to start from the beginning)

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