Aging Populations Make for Easy Fraud Targets

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If you've ever been a victim of a scam, you know exactly how it feels--privacy feels invaded leaving you out in the open. The continuous advancements made in the realm of technology, maker it easier and easier for scammers to get you information; online payment platforms, unsecured wifi networks, and cell phones, just to name a few. While us younger people are more and more aware of the dangers involved with scammers and technology, our aging populations aren't as knowledgeable about the risk, marking them as easy targets. According to the FBI, senior-citizens generally own their own home, have good credit, and lived in an era the emphasized respect, as well as generating a trustworthy population, financial worries, loneliness and age; making them the perfect targets of fraud. It's even worst for those who live alone. Bogus telemarketers love to target those over the age of 60 and who live alone, and attempt to sell them products in order to get their credit card information. However, a recent string of events have shed light on the involvement of banks with these fraud schemes. A NY Times article, reported a fraud incident involved an 84-year old man and the Bank of Salt Lake City. The bank not only served as a gateway between the consumer and known fraud websites, but also was making money off of the transactions. But, this isn't the first time a reputable bank has been involved. According to the same article, multiple civil lawsuits were filed against the First Bank of Delaware. So, what can we do in order to educate our aging populations to be more cautious?
Check out the link below with helpful tips and information on how we can help the elderly avoid becoming the next fraud victim:

https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-fraud-schemes/telemarketing-fraud

If you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, check out this link on what additional resources are available:

https://www.aging.senate.gov

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