Could Your Parents' Phone Habits Increase Their Risk of Being Scammed?

Home Care Evanston IL - Could Your Parents' Phone Habits Increase Their Risk of Being Scammed?

The phone remains the most popular way for scammers to contact people age 60 and up. Older consumers who report fraud to the FTC were most likely to list the phone as the contact method. In 2018, 190,000 phone calls were reported. In 15,000 of the cases, the victim lost money. 
 
What is the most popular phone scam? Scammers go for an area where many older adults are not as savvy. Tech support scams are the most popular scam and tend to get the most cash out of victims. Could your parents be scammed? It's possible. It comes down to their phone habits. 
 
Do They Always Answer the Phone? 
 
Older generations were raised to answer the phone. People relied on their phones to reach neighbors, friends, and family members. They couldn't just email or text that other person. The phone was vital. 
 
If your parents worked in a position that required them to answer the business phone, they probably know the three-ring rule where you always answered by the third ring. Even at home, you'd answer the phone within a set amount of seconds or rings or the answering machine would turn on. 
 
Your parents may still feel that they have to answer the phone when it rings. You will have to reassure them that it's okay to let the phone ring. If it's important, the person will leave a message. 
 
Do They Understand Spoofing? 
 
You've set your parents up with caller ID. You have them checking the readout before they answer the phone. The problem is they may not understand spoofing. They get a call from a local business and answer it to find it was a scammer who made the call. 
 
Make sure you've taught your parents about spoofing. Spoofing is a call made by using software to trick the phone system into thinking you're calling from one number, but you're really calling from another. Scammers use spoofing to trick callers into answering a call. 
 
If your parents haven't called that local business and don't have any reason for that company to have called them, they should avoid answering the phone. If it's important, the business will leave a message. 
 
What happens if your parents have fallen for a scam? Alert authorities. It may not be possible to recover the money they've lost, but you should try. A police report is one of the first steps to take. 
 
Your parents will benefit from having senior care services. Caregivers will be with your parents during the hours you schedule. If calls come in, home care aides are there to manage them and keep your parents from falling for a scam. Call our home care agency to discuss companionship services and caregiver schedules. 

Source: https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/protecting-older-consumers-2018-2019-report-federal-trade-commission/p144401_protecting_older_consumers_2019_1.pdf  

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Evanston IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823. ​

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