A gentle guide with real examples and practical tips
Scams are alarming and affect individuals across all age groups. However, older adults are frequently targeted, as highlighted by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre's report of over 63,000 fraud cases in 2023 alone. The increase in scam calls and emails makes it essential to discuss with older adults in our lives how to recognize and avoid these threats.
As technology evolves, it can be confusing and even overwhelming. Many scams exploit emotions such as trust, politeness,fear, and urgency. These schemes often follow familiar patterns. For instance,we’ve all encountered messages like:
● “You have an unclaimed package. Confirm your address.”
● “Your grandchild is in trouble and needs money now.”
● “Click here to claim your prize!”
● “Invest now in crypto! See how Elon Musk and Bill Gates are making millions!”
As caregivers, family members, or friends,it’s our responsibility to help older adults understand the warning signs of email and phone scams look like and how to avoid them without sounding alarmist or patronizing.
When discussing scams, the tone matters just as much as the information. It’s important to keep the conversation calm, kind, and respectful, and to avoid making them feel naïve or embarrassed.
A great way to initiate the discussion is by highlighting how prevalent scams are among people of all ages. You can even share a personal story about a time you received a scam message and almost fell for it. This approach helps normalize the experience and avoids making them feel singled out.
Try saying something like:
“I’ve been getting a lot of strange emails lately that turned out to be scams. Have you noticed anything like that? I read that these scams are getting really sneaky, especially for older adults.”
This opens the door without pressure.
Scams often sound official and urgent. That’s why they work. Here are some of the most common senior scams happening today:
Scammers might pose as a police officer, court worker, or even a family member, claiming there’s been an emergency or a legal issue and pressure the person to act quickly. Caller IDs can even be faked to look legitimate.
Tip: If someone claims to be from an agency or a relative in trouble, hang up and call back using the official number you know. Never give out personal information over the phone.
These are some of the most frightening. A scammer may say they’re from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and claim you owemoney, have missed a form, or are at risk of being fined, or even arrested.
Tip: Real government agencies will not call you to threaten, arrest, or demand immediate payment. Always hang up.
These scams typically start with an upbeat message claiming you’ve won money, a vacation, or something else exciting. Bu before you can collect your “prize,” you’re asked to pay a small fee for shipping, taxes, or verification.
Tip: If you didn’t enter a contest, you can’t win one. Legitimate prizes never require you to pay up front.
In this type of scam targeting seniors,someone pretends to be a grandchild or other close family member. They may say they’ve been in an accident, arrested, or are stuck in another country, and urgently need money to get out of trouble.
These scammers often sound convincing and may even know personal information like names or details from social media. Some scammers are now using voice phishing (or “vishing”), a type of phone scam where fraudsters impersonate trusted people or organizations, to clone a loved one’s voice using AI, making the call feel even more real.
Warning signs: The scammer may beg you not to tell anyone, pressure you to act fast, or ask you to send money by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency, all of which are red flags.
Tip: Stay calm. Hang up and call the family member using a number you trust. Or check with another relative to confirm the situation. If someone tells you not to tell anyone, tell someone.
Email scams targeting older adults aregetting more polished. But there are still some easy red flags to watch for:
● Typos and bad grammar: Poor spelling or awkward phrasing is a common giveaway.
● Unfamiliar senders: Be cautious of messages from unknown names or addresses.
● Strange links: Avoid clicking on shortened or suspicious-looking URLs (The web address or link that takes you to a website).
● Requests for personal information: No trusted organization will ask for passwords, PINs, or credit card info by email or text.
Tip:If anything feels “off,” stop and ask a family member or trusted friend before replying or clicking.
Talking about scams doesn’t need to be stressful. These conversations can strengthen your bond. By checking inregularly, even once a month, about suspicious messages, you create a team approach that protects your loved onewithout making them feel helpless.
● Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: Canada’s central agency for reporting scams and learning about common frauds.
● Government of Canada Scam Alerts: A trusted source for spotting, preventing, and reporting various types of fraud. It also includes victim stories, quizzes, and detailed guidance on what to do if you have been targeted.
● Seniors First BC: This organization focuses specifically on protecting seniors in British Columbia. They provide various programs, including education about scams and fraud prevention. They also offer resources that seniors can access tounderstand the types of fraud targeting them.
● The Office of the Seniors Advocate - BC: Provides up-to-date information and resources about scams and fraud affecting seniors in BC, and how they can protect themselves. They collaborate with various organizations to raise awareness about scams targeting older adults.
● Better Business Bureau (BBB)- BC & Yukon: The BBB provides consumer protection resources and alerts about scams that may impact consumers, including seniors. They have educational materials specifically focused on identifying fraudulent schemes.
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