It can happen to any one of us as attempts to steal our personal information or money over the phone are made every day. Nowadays, many Americans keep their phones readily nearby, and when a call comes through the tendency to reach for these devices is almost immediate. The voice on the other end may sound innocent enough. Perhaps they claim to be a relative such as a grandchild, or even great-grandchild. They proceed to explain that they are in distress and are in great need of money. They may share that the funds are to pay off some debt, to help after an accident or even to post bail. Believing this to be true and wanting to do anything in your power to help a loved one, you may find yourself wiring your hard-earned money to a scammer in disguise.

Unfortunately, this exact scenario has played out often and much to the misfortune of the receiver of the call. Scammers are everywhere and they may target anyone, taking advantage of those who put their trust in what they are hearing through the phone. The scam artist may even go as far as claiming to be calling on behalf of a government agency such as the IRS, stating that money is owed immediately. In a panic you may hurriedly reach for your credit card and hand over the numbers just to ward off threats of debt collectors and even arrest. Other tactics include convincing the individual to buy gift cards to pay off the debt. Ploys such as these are shameful, but they are also lucrative enough for these scammers to accumulate a substantial amount of money.

Scammers know what to say to ignite anxiety, whether it’s a loved one in distress or a claim that money is owed to a government agency. Some individuals are even more at risk than others of falling victim to a scam. Those suffering from memory loss, Alzheimer’s or dementia may not remember if they forgot to pay a debt or that they even have a relative with the name the scammer provides. Some scammers will call simply to get your information by pretending to be from a medical or life insurance agency. They may even look online to see if you have a social media account and skim through names of people you know, only to use that name when they call asking for cash. Those with memory loss are likely to be easy prey, especially if they are living alone without anyone to look into the validity of the call.

Affordable Care at Home knows the financial risk involved with falling for such scams, and we feel everyone should be privy to the tactics scammers use to acquire money. For further protection of those needing daily living support, a trusted caregiver can help intercept suspicious calls to prevent those in their care from becoming a victim. Sometimes, a simple phone call to the mentioned relative can clear up any confusion. Other claims can be deciphered by being aware of such scams and knowing how to identify a suspicious caller. For those receiving in-home care services, a sense of security can be felt not only from knowing a trusted professional is nearby, but also from knowing someone is there who can offer extra protection from those who can take so much from a simple phone call.