How Seniors can Avoid Scams

By Jamie Shapiro | October 1, 2015 | Comments Off on How Seniors can Avoid Scams

Senior Care in Wilmette IL

Many seniors are unaware of the dangers of scams. There are so many different scams out there and in order for seniors to avoid them, they will have to educate themselves. In some cases, a senior may be able to take advantage of courses that are put together by local community centers that outline scams and how to prevent them. This would also be a fun project to research with an elder care provider.

The following are some helpful tips on how to avoid scams along with some safeguards to put in place to keep a senior out of harm’s way.

Don’t give unsolicited visitors or callers the time of day

One of the first things that a senior needs to remember when trying to avoid being scammed is to ignore unsolicited calls or visits by salesmen. Most of the scamming that takes place these days is done through unsolicited phone calls. Giving a salesman too much information over the phone can but a senior in a lot of danger. By requesting something in writing from those looking to offer services or products, the senior will be able to avoid situations where it will be easy for them to be scammed.

Properly dispose of sensitive materials such as documents or receipts

To avoid being scammed, a senior should properly dispose of receipts and other paperwork. If the paperwork in question has sensitive information, such as a social security number or credit card number on it, then the senior will need to shred it. Purchase a paper shredder from the local office supply store to shred all sensitive material, instead of throwing it away.

Take advantage of direct deposit

Many seniors get benefits checks on a monthly basis. Getting these checks mailed to a home can be dangerous due to the fact that a thief can steal it right out of the mailbox. Having the check directly deposited into a checking or savings account will eliminate this type of danger, not to mention being much more convenient for the senior. If unsure about how to set this up, contact the bank for help.

Be mindful of who gets credit card information

Seniors should never give their credit card or social security number over the phone unless they are the one who has initiated the phone call. Avoid giving out this information to just anyone, especially over the phone, to remove the danger of identity theft.

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care services in Wilmette, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

Source
https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2013/04/10/how-to-protect-your-elderly-parents-from-being-scammed

Jamie Shapiro
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