Sadly, seniors are often the target of scams ranging from false IRS calls claiming back taxes are owed to late night phone calls imploring the person to give bail money for a relation supposedly in jail. That is why they are often in need of greater help from family and friends in order to fight off con-men who know how to play on the feelings of the elderly. Because of this, it is important to always to gently check up on older loved ones to get a feel if they are under threat. For example, asking about their week and if anything unusual or interesting happened may get them to reveal a suspicious person who is trying to take their money. However, some tact is required since many people do not like to be made to feel helpless or admit they are unable to take care of their own affairs. Alternatively, a talk can be had with the person in which they agree to run by any major financial transaction with someone they trust in order to provide another layer of protection. But whatever the method, making sure that an elderly person has contact with friends and family who can help them is the greatest way to foil would be scams.
See Michelle Singletary, When you look in on that senior, see about their financial security, too, The Washington Post, April 13, 2016.
Special thanks to Lewis Saret for bringing this article to my attention.
