Protecting your parents from scammers

by | Apr 1, 2025 | Around the House, Featured Article (05), General Interest, Magazine

Computer News
Protecting your parents from scammers is a great step to ensure their safety. Here are some common scams targeting older adults and tips on how to recognize and prevent them:

  1. Imposter Scams
  • How It Works: Scammers pose as trusted individuals, such as family members, government officials, or technical support representatives.
  • Examples:
    • “Grandparent scam”: Caller pretends to be a grandchild in distress.
    • IRS or Social Security scam: Threatening arrest or loss of benefits unless immediate payment is made.
  • Prevention Tips:
    • Verify the caller’s identity. Hang up and call the person or agency directly.
    • Educate your parents to avoid sharing personal information over the phone.
  1. Phishing Scams
  • How It Works: Fake emails, texts, or phone calls designed to steal personal information.
  • Examples:
    • Email claiming unusual activity on a bank account.
    • Links leading to fake websites that mimic legitimate ones.
  • Prevention Tips:
    • Teach them to avoid clicking on suspicious links.
    • Encourage them to check sender details carefully.
  1. Health and Insurance Scams
  • How It Works: Fraudsters offer fake medical services, products, or Medicare schemes.
  • Examples:
    • Calls offering free medical equipment.
    • Bogus Medicare plans requiring upfront fees.
  • Prevention Tips:
    • Advise them to consult their healthcare provider before signing up for new services.
    • Avoid sharing insurance details over the phone.
  1. Tech Support Scams
  • How It Works: A scammer claims there’s an issue with their computer and offers to “fix” it.
  • Examples:
    • Pop-up warnings about viruses directing them to call a number.
    • Cold calls pretending to be from Microsoft or Apple.
  • Prevention Tips:
    • Remind them that legitimate tech companies don’t make unsolicited calls.
    • Encourage them to consult you or a trusted person before paying for tech support.
  1. Prize and Lottery Scams
  • How It Works: Victims are told they’ve won a prize but need to pay fees or taxes to claim it.
  • Examples:
    • Lottery winnings requiring a processing fee.
    • Fake sweepstakes notifications.
  • Prevention Tips:
    • Explain that legitimate contests don’t require payment to claim prizes.
    • Encourage skepticism of unsolicited offers.
  1. Investment and Financial Scams
  • How It Works: Fraudsters offer too-good-to-be-true investment opportunities.
  • Examples:
    • Ponzi schemes or high-return investment offers.
    • Fake calls from banks claiming suspicious activity.
  • Prevention Tips:
    • Urge them to consult a financial advisor for any investment decisions.
    • Use only verified channels for banking or investment activities.
  1. Romance Scams
  • How It Works: Scammers exploit loneliness through fake online relationships.
  • Examples:
    • Asking for money for emergencies or travel.
  • Prevention Tips:
    • Encourage them to avoid sharing money or personal details with online acquaintances.
    • Suggest meeting online connections in person before trusting them.
  1. Home Repair Scams
  • How It Works: Fraudulent contractors offer services and demand upfront payment.
  • Examples:
    • Unsolicited offers for roof repairs or driveway paving.
  • Prevention Tips:
    • Vet contractors and check references.
    • Avoid upfront payments for unverified services.

Additional Measures:

  • Register on the National Do Not Call List: To reduce telemarketing calls.
  • Enable Caller ID and Call Screening: Use services like TrueCaller or Nomorobo.
  • Discuss Common Scams Regularly: Keep communication open so they feel comfortable reporting suspicious interactions.
  • Monitor Financial Activity: With their permission, help monitor accounts for unusual activity.

Here are some effective tools and resources to educate and safeguard your parents against scams:

Educational Resources

  1. AARP Fraud Watch Network
    • Offers scam alerts, educational articles, and a helpline to report suspicious activity.
    • Website: www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/
  2. FTC Consumer Information
    • Provides information on current scams and ways to avoid them.
    • Website: www.consumer.ftc.gov
  3. Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker
    • A tool to check and report scams in your area.
    • Website: www.bbb.org/scamtracker
  4. National Council on Aging (NCOA)
    • Guides on protecting seniors from fraud.
    • Website: www.ncoa.org

Tools for Prevention

  1. Call Blockers and Screening Tools
    • Nomorobo: Blocks robocalls and known scam numbers.
    • TrueCaller: Identifies and blocks scam calls on mobile devices.
  2. Password Management Tools
    • LastPass or Dashlane: Helps securely manage passwords and prevent phishing.
  3. Identity Protection Services
    • LifeLock or IdentityForce: Monitors financial activity and alerts for suspicious transactions.
  4. Secure Browsing Extensions
    • HTTPS Everywhere: Ensures secure connections on websites.
    • AdBlock Plus: Reduces pop-ups that could lead to phishing attempts.

Financial Monitoring

  1. Set Up Fraud Alerts
    • Contact their bank or credit card company to enable fraud alerts for suspicious transactions.
  2. Free Credit Reports

Practical Steps

  1. Freeze Credit
    • Prevent scammers from opening new accounts in their name by freezing their credit at major bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax).
  2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
    • Add an extra layer of security to email, bank, and other online accounts.
  3. Emergency Contact Protocol
    • Set up a protocol for verifying emergencies (e.g., a secret code for family calls).
  4. Create a Scam Report Plan
    • Teach them to document scam attempts (e.g., name of the caller, phone number, and what was said) and report them to:
      • FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
      • Local Law Enforcement: For fraud impacting finances.

Tech Training

  • Local Libraries or Senior Centers
    • Many offer free classes on internet and phone security for seniors.
  • Cybersecurity Apps
    • Be Internet Awesome: A Google program that teaches safe internet habits.

Here’s a detailed guide to setting up some of the tools and resources to help protect your parents from scams:

Call Blocking and Screening

  1. Nomorobo (for landlines and smartphones):
    • Step 1: Visit www.nomorobo.com.
    • Step 2: Click “Get Started” and select your phone type (landline or mobile).
    • Step 3: Follow the instructions to set up call forwarding or download the app for mobile devices.
    • Step 4: Adjust settings to block robocalls and receive scam alerts.
  2. TrueCaller (for smartphones):
    • Step 1: Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
    • Step 2: Open the app and follow the setup instructions (e.g., verify your phone number).
    • Step 3: Enable caller ID and spam blocking in the app settings.

Password Management

  1. LastPass:
    • Step 1: Visit www.lastpass.com and create an account.
    • Step 2: Install the browser extension or app on their devices.
    • Step 3: Import or manually add passwords for frequently used accounts.
    • Step 4: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.
  2. Dashlane:
    • Step 1: Go to www.dashlane.com and sign up.
    • Step 2: Download and install the software on their devices.
    • Step 3: Store important passwords and set up autofill for safe browsing.

Identity Protection

  1. LifeLock:
    • Step 1: Go to www.lifelock.com and select a plan.
    • Step 2: Create an account and provide necessary information (e.g., SSN, financial details).
    • Step 3: Set up monitoring alerts for suspicious activity.
  2. Enable Fraud Alerts Through Their Bank:
    • Log into their online banking portal or visit their bank branch.
    • Set up email and SMS alerts for transactions above a specific threshold.

Freeze Their Credit

  1. Visit the websites of the three major credit bureaus:
  2. Follow the instructions to freeze their credit (this is usually free).
    • They will receive a PIN or password for unfreezing credit when needed.

Setting Up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

  1. Log into each account they use (email, bank, online shopping).
  2. Navigate to the security settings.
  3. Enable 2FA and select their preferred method (e.g., text message, authenticator app).
    • Recommended app: Google Authenticator or Authy.

Free Credit Reports

  1. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com.
  2. Select “Request Your Free Credit Reports.”
  3. Follow the prompts to obtain credit reports from Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.
  4. Review the reports for unfamiliar accounts or activities.

Educating Your Parents

  1. Set Up a “Scam Safe” Folder:
    • Save copies of known scam examples for them to reference.
  2. Role-Playing Exercises:
    • Practice scenarios with them, such as responding to a fake “IRS” call.
  3. Bookmark Trusted Websites:
    • Create a bookmark folder on their browser with links to:
      • Official government sites (e.g., IRS, Social Security).
      • Banking and financial institution login pages.

Reporting Scams

  1. File a Report with the FTC:
    • Go to reportfraud.ftc.gov.
    • Click “Report Now” and follow the instructions.
  2. Notify Their Bank Immediately:
    • Call the fraud department for any financial scams.

 

In the end try to use common sense if you are approached with any kind of scenario listed above. If you are unsure always take a step back and call someone you trust for advice. You can always call a local computer store for help, we are all aware of these types of scams, I see them daily in my shop. Hope this information is helpful.

James Bowman
Data Rescue Computer Services