Understanding Fraud and Non-Fraud: Protecting Seniors from Scams

Senior scams and fraud are increasingly prevalent issues that target vulnerable older adults, often resulting in significant financial and emotional harm. Protecting yourself and your loved ones starts with understanding what fraud is, how it differs from non-fraud incidents, and what you can do to stay safe, including a list of resources to help seniors spot and avoid scams.

What Is Fraud?

Fraud occurs when someone intentionally deceives another person for financial or personal gain. The most common examples seniors encounter include identity theft, credit card fraud, and phishing scams. Fraudsters will often use tactics like impersonation, fake emails, or phone calls to take advantage of older individuals and trick them into giving up sensitive information.

What Does Non-Fraud Mean?

Non-fraud incidents are typically accidental or unintentional, such as an accidental overcharge on a bill or receiving a product you didn’t order. A situation like this will obviously still cause frustration, but it’s important to note that they are not intended to deceive or harm you.

What to Look For and How to Stay Protected from Scams

Seniors and their family members should be on the lookout for red flags like unsolicited requests for personal information, pressure to act quickly, or offers that seem too good to be true. To stay protected, always remember to avoid clicking on suspicious links, never share personal details over the phone or email, and regularly monitor your accounts for unusual activity.

Below are key resources that seniors and their caregivers can turn to for help with scam prevention: