Around the world and across many different cultures, elderly members of society are held in high regard because of their wisdom and life experiences. As such, many look to assist and support seniors due to their vulnerable state. However, some may take advantage of this and look to scam and exploit the elderly. If you have an elderly loved one, understanding the most common identity theft scams is critical to help ensure they are protected. The following blog explores this in further detail and explains why it’s in your best interest to connect with a California senior identity theft lawyer to assist you.
Why Are the Elderly Targets for Identity Theft?
Unfortunately, two of the most vulnerable groups of people are often the targets of identity theft – children and the elderly. Children are often targets because they do not have a credit history, and most parents do not check their children’s credit scores until they turn 18. However, children are often targeted by family members who can access their information.
Senior citizens, on the other hand, are often victims at the hands of strangers. This is because they often have excellent credit scores and may not be as tech-savvy. As such, they may not know whether or not they are being scammed or how to check their information.
What Identity Theft Scams Are Most Common?
Most commonly, the elderly are victims of identity theft phone scams. Often, the thief will call an older adult posing as someone else to get personal information to commit identity theft from them. Common ruses scammers will use include but are not limited to, the following:
- Pretending to be a government benefits employee
- Posing as a lawyer or member of law enforcement
- Pretending to be their grandchild and asking for money
- Pretending to be the host of a sweepstakes
- Posing as a hospital employee asking for money for their loved one’s treatment
For example, an older adult may receive a call from someone claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. They may claim that until certain information is verified, their SSI payments will be withheld. As such, the senior may provide information like their full name, date of birth, and Social Security Number. However, instead of providing this to a government employee, they have provided this information to a scammer.
What Should I Do if My Loved One Is a Victim?
Unfortunately, many victims of identity theft scams are too embarrassed to report these matters. As such, it’s important to encourage your loved one to keep an eye on their finances and speak out if anything seems amiss. Additionally, if you do discover that your loved one is a victim, it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced identity theft attorney.
At Loker Law, we understand how devastating it can be to learn that someone has taken advantage of your loved one. That’s why our team is dedicated to doing everything possible to help you fight for the justice your loved one deserves. Our team will help you learn what options you have to seek justice. Contact us today for more.
