When it comes to scams, there’s usually a good way to spot them.
If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. But, as you may have heard, life isn’t fair and sometimes scams can be hard to spot. With that in mind, here are some home care tips to protect your seniors from scams.
1. Protect Their Identity
Identity theft is one of the most common scams, and it usually has the most devastating effects. If their identity is stolen, they can be locked out of accounts and have their credit score ruined.
Prevent identity theft by creating strong passwords with a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. It is also a good idea to sign up for credit monitoring. If you have an elderly parent who is a senior citizen, it is also wise to put them on your credit card accounts. This way, you can monitor their activity and keep them from making a purchase on a credit card they don’t recognize.
2. Watch Out For Scam Artists
Older adults are one of the most vulnerable demographics to scams because they are reliant on their children to have access to their finances.
Avoiding scams is difficult because scammers can be very convincing. If an elderly relative is targeted by a scam, it is wise to have them change their passwords, freeze their credit, and even change their phone number to avoid further targeting.
3. Be Wary Of The Tax Season
As tax season approaches, scammers are usually on the lookout for opportunities to try and scam a person. Tax season is a great time for a scammer to try and prey on a person’s fear and desperation.
The IRS has long used the phrase “If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is” to warn people of scams. If the tax preparer is asking you for sensitive information, such as your Social Security number, it is best to find another preparer.
If you have elderly parents, you may want to make sure they are aware of a scam called the “IRS Impersonation Scam.” The scam involves someone calling and claiming to be from the IRS. They will then ask you to pay your “debt” over the phone. The caller is impersonating the IRS, and the money will be sent to an account outside the U.S.
4. Don’t Over-Share On Social Media
Social media has become a great tool for keeping in touch with family and friends, but the downside is that it has also become an easy way for scammers to track down their targets.
It is a good idea to make sure your senior has locked down their social media accounts, and you or caregivers monitor their accounts to make sure they are not sharing personal information.
5. Be Wary Of Any Job Offers
One of the most common scams out there is the “work-at-home” scam. These scams usually involve someone sending you an offer for a job. You may be hired to do a task, such as stuffing envelopes. But, when you send your money to the company, you will realize that you were scammed.
If you are offered a job, make sure to research the company before you send any money. There are many scam websites that look like real job websites. You may even be asked to pay money to get the job.
6. Don’t Fall For “Free” Gifts
It is a great feeling to get something for free, but it is even better to be wary of anything that seems too good to be true.
If they get a call from a company offering them a “free gift” in exchange for their credit card number, hang up and make sure their caregivers are aware of it.
Home Care: Conclusion
If you have a family member who is elderly, it is a good idea to hire caregivers to help you get your elderly loved one what they need.
Every year, frauds cost the US hundreds of millions of dollars. While these scams can seem overwhelming, there are many things you can do to help protect your loved ones. Home Care Caregivers can help- give us a call and explore your options for home care today!
For more information about hiring Home Care in San Diego, CA, call the friendly caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare who can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, at 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Sources:
https://www.irsvideos.gov/Professional/ScamsFraud/TaxScamsSoundTooGoodtobeTrue
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/consumer-alert-scammers-change-tactics-once-again
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I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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