Slam the Scam!
Dear Caregivers,
The other day I got an email from the Social Security Administration announcing that this coming March 6th will be the official “National Slam the Scam Day!”
Ironically, my first reaction I was that I was suspicious! Why did I get this email? Was it for real? Or perhaps it was itself yet another scam?
After all, scams are on the rise, and the last thing I want a caregiver dealing with is being scammed! Worse yet, many scammers target the elderly. Around the world, $3.4 billion dollars was stolen from people over the age of 60 in 2023. That represents more than 100,000 elderly loved ones just like the one you are caring for.
Older adults are often the target for scammers because the criminals believe that they have larger savings accounts. But low-income older Americans are also targeted, too, because the elderly tend to be less savvy about new technologies such as email, texts, and mobile phones.
According to the email from the Social Security Administration — which in fact I examined and found to be legitimate — there are several warning signs that a scammer might be trying to impersonate someone from the Social Security Administration. For example, a Social Security representative will never:
Threaten you with arrest or legal action because you don't agree to pay money immediately.
Say they are going to suspend your Social Security number.
Claim to need personal information or payment to activate a cost-of-living adjustment or other benefit increase.
Pressure you to take immediate action, including sharing personal information.
Ask you to pay with gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or by mailing cash.
Threaten to seize your bank account.
Offer to move your money to a “protected” bank account.
Demand secrecy.
If you get a suspicious communication that might appear to be a scam, follow this advice from Social Security:
Be wary if the contact message is unexpected
Don't click on any links in the message.
Take your time, and don’t succumb to pressure to make a quick decision
Trust your instincts: If the message sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Before you take any action, consult with someone you trust.
Unfortunately, scammers prey on the trusting nature of ordinary, good people who have the instincts to help others in need. The solution is not to lose that wonderful aspect of our human nature, but rather be a little more careful and savvier, in the digital world, about dealing with random communications from people you don’t know.
Here’s some more advice on dealing with scammers:
Protecting Yourself and Your Loved One Against Fraud and Scams:
It’s a sad reality that we all must be on guard every day to protect ourselves from fraud and scams. Frauds and scams come in a wide variety of flavors and trends, and can be very creative in how they draw us in. In most cases these scams prey on our fears and try to prompt us to pay out of fear. Here’s how to protect yourself.
Common Frauds and Scams:
Here is a list of common ruses that attempt to cheat you out of private information and financial assets.
Difficult Conversations: Financial Affairs:
Even in the most loving families, money is often a taboo subject of conversation, especially between parents and their adult children. Unfortunately, when Alzheimer’s disease is progressing there are many ways financial affairs can become problematic. Here are some strategies for beginning that important but often difficult conversation.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”
— William Shakespeare
