Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Our Board
    • Our Staff
    • Watch Our Video
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Privacy and Data Protection Policy
  • Our Programs
    • Emergency Hardship Loans
    • Disaster Relief
    • Scholarships
    • Tutoring
    • FEDLifeHacks
    • Childcare Subsidies
  • News & Impact
    • News
    • Annual Report
  • Support Us
    • Our Supporters
    • Ways to Give
    • Volunteer
    • Feds In Motion Challenge
  • Feds In Motion Challenge
  • DONATE
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail

5 Tips For Protecting Older Loved Ones From Scams

by Joyce Warner

July 2, 2020/Tags#datasafety, #eldersafety, #fedlifehacks, #patientadvocate, #scams, aging parents
protecting older loved ones from scams

According to the Senate Special Committee on Aging, “older Americans lose a staggering $2.9 billion a year to an ever-growing array of financial exploitation schemes and scams.” Here are five tips to help your older loved ones stay safe from scams.

  • COMMON SCAMS

    Keep abreast of the commons scams being used and share them with your loved so they are aware. The FBI has a list of common scams.

  • PAUSE

    Speed is the scammers’ top weapon, trying to get your loved one to make a rash decision by playing on their anxiety. Encourage the seniors in your life to pause, collect the name and number of the person calling, and have them check in with a trusted friend or family member to determine whether the request is legitimate. Remind love ones to never give out social security numbers, passwords, banking information, etc. to someone who contacts them out of the blue.

  • PHISHING

    Computer users should be especially careful of ever more sophisticated “phishing” attempts where scammers try to trick you into giving personal information by text or email. The visual look of these fraudulent solicitations can look very similar to the real business they are emulating.

    The Federal Trade Commission Check has tips to help recognize and avoid phishing scams.

  • ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS

    Talk to your loved ones about setting up some additional safeguards, for example bank alerts for withdrawals over a certain amount, putting their phone number on the do not call list, unsubscribing from unwanted solicitations, and marking certain emails as spam to reduce the chances of clicking on something unwanted.

  • REPORTING FRAUD

    If your loved one does fall victim to a scam, let them know they are not alone and should not be embarrassed. By working with a loved one to report the scam, they are doing a public service and can help prevent other seniors from being targeted.

    If you believe you or someone you know may have been a victim of elder fraud, you have a few options:

    • The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has set up a National Elder Fraud Hotline. Individuals are provided with a case manager that will assist throughout the reporting process at the local, state, and federal level.
    • Contact your local FBI field office or submit a tip online.
    • You can also file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) was established by Congress in 2000 and is overseen by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. FLTCIP also has a resource page that includes the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) guide to purchasing long-term care insurance and a series of webinars on healthy aging presented by Harvard Medical School.

FEEA thanks FLTCIP for contributing to our #FedLifeHacks program

The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program

Subscribe to FEEA’s Newsletter

Would you like to reprint this piece in your agency human resource, federal employee association, or union local newsletter? You can do so at no cost by contacting admin@feea.org with your request.

The information provided in this piece is for your convenience and informational purposes only and not to be construed as professional advice. FEEA and its coauthors and sponsors are not liable for any losses or damages related to actions or failure to act with regard to the content in this piece.

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail

Archive

Categories

  • #FedLifeHacks
  • News & Impact

Newsletter Sign-up

* indicates required
Fed Life Hacks Logo

Footer Section

Guidestar Platinum Transparency 2021

Contact

  • Phone: 202-554-0007
  • Fax: 202-559-1298
  • Email: fedshelpingfeds@feea.org
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy

Mailing Address

  • FEEA
  • 1641 Prince St.
  • Alexandria, VA 22314

News

  • Subscribe to our Newsletter
Women and Money: Our Expert Walks Through Financial Planning Considerations...Women and Money: An African American woman works at a desk with papers and a laptop#FedLifeHacks Video: How to Be a Patient Advocate

© 2023 - Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund | All Rights Reserved.

Scroll to top