By Jamie Roper, City of Charleston’s Office on Aging
More scammers are targeting older adults, often because scammers assume they have savings, good credit, or are more trusting. The City of Charleston’s Office on Aging wants to provide you with a few simple tips to protect yourself and your money.
Don’t Rush to Act
Scammers thrive on urgency. Never feel pressured to act right now—whether it’s a phone call, email, or text—that’s a red flag. Legitimate organizations don’t rush or threaten you with immediate consequences. Take a moment and think it through.
Never Share Personal Information
Don’t share your Social Security number, bank details, or passwords unless you initiated the contact and can verify authenticity. If someone asks for this information out of the blue, it’s almost certainly a scam.
Be Skeptical of Unexpected Contacts
Calls, emails, or messages from strangers claiming you’ve won a prize, owe money, or have a problem with an account should raise suspicion. When in doubt, hang up or don’t click links in messages. Instead, contact the company directly using a trusted phone number or website.
Watch Out for Payment Red Flags
Scammers often demand payment in unusual methods, such as gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or cash. If a company requests that you pay using one of these methods, it’s a scam.
Use Technology to Your Advantage
Enable call blocking and spam filters on your phone and email. Keep your devices’ security software updated. Use strong, unique passwords with 12+ characters, mixing uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to help protect your online accounts.
Place an Alert on Your Credit
Contact any one of the three credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion—and place an activity alert on your credit. This alerts potential creditors to take extra precautions to verify your identity before issuing credit or services in your name.
Freeze Your Credit
Contact all three credit bureaus and place a freeze on your credit. This prevents businesses from accessing your credit for new accounts or services and stops someone from opening any type of credit in your name. A freeze will not affect your existing credit or credit score.
Know the Most Common Scams
Familiarizing yourself with popular scams such as fake tech support calls, impostors pretending to be the IRS or Social Security, romance scams, and grandparent scams makes them easier to spot. The more you know, the harder it is for scammers to fool you.
Report Suspicious Activity
If you think you’ve been targeted or scammed, report it. File a police report with your local law enforcement. In the U.S., you can contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your local consumer protection agency. Reporting helps protect not only you, but others as well.
Never Be Ashamed or Embarrassed
Scammers are professionals who use manipulation and emotional tactics. Being targeted does not mean you were careless or foolish. Staying informed and cautious is the best defense, and asking for help is a sign of strength.
