How to Protect Your Loved Ones from Senior Fraud

I got a call this week from a friend of mine, Sandy*, and she was really upset. Her mother, who is 84, got a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS. The caller told Sandy’s elderly mother that she had a past due amount from her 2014 taxes and if she didn’t get it paid right away, her Social Security check would be garnished.

Sandy knew it was a con artist, but her mother did not. And that is what upset Sandy. If her mother hadn’t called her, Sandy knew she would have sent money to this scammer – and then the stage was set for even more fraud against her mom. What happens to senior citizens who don’t have anyone to call? No one to protect them?

I tried to calm her down. She moved from upset to angry, so I told her about Senior Fraud Alert. That’s the program I developed for just these kinds of situations. In fact, seniors don’t usually call their children to tell them about these kinds of calls they get. They are embarrassed that they have a delinquent debt and just want to “take care of it” before anyone finds out. I tried to explain that it isn’t just seniors without anyone to call, but all seniors, PERIOD.

With Senior Fraud Alert, seniors are provided with the resources they need to keep from being victimized. Once Grandma, Mom or Uncle Joe understands how to handle the calls, or knocks on the door, they are protected. The Senior Fraud Alert Staff takes care of the rest.

Although we know that we cannot completely stop senior fraud in the world, we can reduce senior vulnerability and impede some efforts of con artists targeting seniors with the Senior Fraud Alert Program.

Caring for aging parents is a huge job that lasts many years for the sandwich generation. I know because I am part of that generation and cared for my own parents and even some of their siblings for many years.

It’s only going to become more of a challenge as the population ages. So we need all the resources we can get. In addition to the financial implications, senior security and senior safety are also a part of the problem with phone and door solicitations. When scammers get information from elderly victims, they have their foot in the door and push it open. And once it is open, seniors are vulnerable – and become scared.

As caregivers, and protectors, we have to ensure this doesn’t happen. But I know caregivers can’t do it alone. They can’t meet everyone’s needs and be on hand 24 hours of every day. It’s impossible.

Sandy understood how Senior Fraud Alert provides safety – and independence and dignity – for her mother and she signed up for the program right away. Now she knows that any solicitations, whether legitimate or not will not be forced upon her mom. She hasn’t gotten any panicked calls from her mom since.

I know Senior Fraud Alert can be an important shield against those who are targeting seniors, stealing their money and their peace of mind.

Every person who is caring for aging parents, grandparents or other aged loved ones can add a layer of protection that will work for them 24/7. That can be there when they aren’t. That will improve senior safety and senior security so elderly folks can continue aging in place where they want to be.

Contact me for more information. I’ll be glad to talk with you and give you the resources you need to stop senior fraud from victimizing your loved ones.

A daily check-in call could be the lifeline, the joy you give someone that makes the biggest difference in their perception of what old age is like.

Contact me at 317-480-1038 today. Let’s make a difference together.

I’m Diana Beam, Founder of Keeping in Touch Solutions. It is my heartfelt desire for every person to live a happy and healthy life in the place they call home, no matter what their age. You can’t put a price on peace of mind for your parents and yourself. It’s priceless . . . and significant.

For that reason, the goal of every Keeping In Touch Solutions program is to provide a caring connection and service that both the elderly and their caregivers can rely on to make living that good life easier.