Scam Prevention Tips

Practical strategies to help identify, prevent, and respond to common fraud schemes targeting older adults

VeriTalk Scam Prevention Guide

This guide provides practical strategies to help you recognize potential scams, protect your personal information, and respond effectively if you suspect you've been targeted. By understanding common fraud tactics and implementing these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim.

Social Engineering

Be suspicious if someone tries to make you:

  • Be Afraid or Greedy
  • Give Information or Money
  • Do It Now

Disengage if you don't feel safe, and talk with a trusted advisor if you still have concerns.

Information Management

  • Get a credit report, then freeze your credit reports
  • Guard your medical, personal, and financial details
  • Register for Social Security benefits

Electronics

  • Keep your devices up to date
  • If it isn't getting security patches, then replace it
  • Keep them locked when you aren't using them
  • Back up your data regularly
  • Grant minimal permissions, and uninstall unused apps

Online

  • Treat messages from your contacts with the same caution as strangers, as your friends may have been compromised or impersonated
  • Avoid re-using the same credentials
  • Use Passphrases and Multi-Factor Authentication

Email and Text Messages

Before clicking:

  • Verify the sender's real address
  • Understand the destination of a link
  • Does anything not fit neatly?

Paper

  • Shred documents with cross-cuts or diamond cuts when they have more than just your name and address
  • Treat QR codes like links you were emailed
  • Sign up for paperless delivery of important documents

In-Person

  • Welcome in only people you invited over
  • Hire tradesmen based on recommendations

Payments

Use caution with irreversible transactions:

  • Wire transfers
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Cash
  • Gift cards

Avoid mailing checks. When you must:

  • Write with gel pens
  • Or drop the letter off at the post office inside the building

Incident Response

If you suspect that you have been scammed, here are some steps you can take:

If they got your money:

Report it to the FTC: ReportFraud.FTC.gov

If they got your information:

  • Report it at IdentityTheft.gov
  • Check your credit reports, looking for unauthorized activity
  • If there is such activity, notify those organizations
  • Consider getting a Credit Monitoring service

Depending on what details they got, you may need to:

  • Contact the Social Security Administration
  • Contact the IRS and get a PIN to prevent tax fraud
  • Contact your state's Department of Revenue and follow their instructions
  • Contact your banks, creditors, financial advisors, and insurance providers
  • Contact your county to request automatic notifications about property records changes

Conclusion

Staying safe from fraud requires vigilance, education, and a healthy dose of skepticism. Remember that legitimate organizations will never pressure you to act immediately, demand payment in specific forms like gift cards, or ask for sensitive information through unsecured channels.

If something feels wrong, it probably is. Trust your instincts and don't hesitate to step back, consult with trusted family members or friends, and verify information through official channels before taking action.

If you would like personalized assistance or have questions about potential fraud, contact your local senior center, Area Agency on Aging, or call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360.