Scams on Older Adults , Are a Constant Threat
ATM frauds and Robberies
Scams on Older Adults. Keep an eye out for distraction thefts at cash points and parking meters, and please spread the word about these scams. thieves are using various tactics to distract people by speaking to them (usually very loudly and with urgency) such as:
- Pushing a newspaper in front of their face and taking the cash being dispensed by the machine.
- In another cashpoint scam, the men tell the victims that their car is wrongly parked and it will be cheaper to pay a fine now. And leading them to a cashpoint. So then, either the card and PIN number is swallowed by a device on the machine or by sleight of hand but the card is taken. Also, the victim tells them the PIN number. Never let anyone see or know your pin. In addition this fraud is happening now in the UK but can happen anywhere.
Romance Fraud
Scams on Older Adults. There has been a significant increase in romance fraud this year. So then, the coronavirus outbreak has led to more people trying to find love online. Also, in these scams, a criminal creates a fake profile on online dating or social media platforms. And targets individuals in an attempt to gain their trust. Consequently, this eventually leads to requests for money for investments, legal fees, travel or a new project. For instance, early requests for money and a reluctance to talk about their work or life may be red flags. As a result, if you experience anything suspicious, please talk to someone you trust for help. Never send money to online friends.
Online Fraud
Cybercriminals are attempting to blackmail unsuspecting victims. Also, by claiming to have used the victims’ password to install spying malware on the victims’ computers. So then, the criminals claim they’ve recorded videos of the victim watching adult material by activating their webcam when they visit these websites. Hence, what makes this scam so convincing is that the email usually includes a genuine password the victim has used for one of their online accounts. As a result, we believe criminals obtain the passwords from data breaches. This scam is happening everywhere.
What to do if you get one of these emails?
- Never reply to the email, or be pressured into paying. The police advise that you do not pay criminals.
- Try flagging the email as spam/junk if you receive it multiple times.
- Perform a password reset as soon as possible on any accounts where you’ve used the password mentioned in the email.
- Always use a strong, separate password for important accounts, such as your email. Where available, enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Always install the latest software
Fake phone scam
There have been recent reports of phone calls allegedly from the tax office telling people that they owe money. One older man was informed that he had not paid 2000 in arrears. And that there is a warrant for his arrest, or there is a lawsuit against him. The caller carries on, giving reference numbers, threatening to freeze his bank account. Also, he was asked how much money he had in his account. In addition, they tried to arrange for someone to come within the hour and collect payment. Frighteningly another woman was told that the police were on their way. This can be very frightening if you are alone. Do not pay or fall for this scam
In Conclusion
Older adults are always a target for scammers and criminals. As a result, you need to be guarded at all times, sometimes, supermarket cashback can be a safer option than a cash machine. Remember if there is an urgency for you to pay, you should be suspicious.
Important Note *
Remember that everyone is different, and it is ultimately YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find what your body responds to. So please do your due diligence before trying anything new, including getting Medical Advice to ensure your safety and peace of mind.
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