In many cultures, the elderly members of communities are held in high regard and respected for their wisdom and wealth of life experience. However, it’s also important to understand that the elderly are often considered a vulnerable group, and people can and do take advantage of this. As such, if you have an elderly loved one, understanding the identity theft scams that often impact them is critical to doing what you can to help protect them. The following blog explores the most common tactics used and how a Los Angeles, California senior identity theft lawyer can help if you have reason to believe your loved one is a victim of identity theft.
Why Are the Elderly At Risk for Identity Theft?
Two of the most vulnerable groups at risk of identity theft are children and the elderly. Children are often targets because they have a clean credit history and most parents do not check their child’s credit score until they turn 18, at which point the damage is done. However, this is most often perpetrated by family members.
Senior citizens, on the other hand, can be targeted by strangers. Many older adults have excellent credit and may not be tech-savvy, making them targets at the hands of criminals.
What Identity Theft Scams Often Impact Older Individuals?
Unfortunately, phone scams are among the most common ways individuals will get information from the elderly. In many instances, thieves will call older adults and pretend to be someone else to gain personal information. Common examples include pretending to be any of the following:
- A police officer
- A lawyer
- A family member
- A government benefits employee
- An employee at their bank
For example, a scammer may pretend to be a representative for Medicare looking to verify information before the senior can resume receiving payments. As such, they will ask for personal information, like the victim’s full name, date of birth, phone number, and social security number.
Another scam growing increasingly more common is romance scams. In these instances, a scammer may pretend to be a romantic interest to get close to the victim before accessing their personal information. Most of these matters are because of “catfishing,” or pretending to be a potential romantic partner without even meeting in person. These relationships are almost always limited to phone calls, emails, and text messages.
What Should I Do if I Believe a Loved One Was Impacted?
If you have reason to believe your loved one is a victim of an identity theft scam, it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect them. In general, you’ll want to contact their financial institutions to freeze their accounts to prevent unauthorized transactions from draining their funds.
Finally, you’ll want to connect with an experienced identity theft attorney who can help you take the necessary steps to reclaim the identity of your loved one. At Los Angeles Legal Solutions, we understand how devastating it can be to learn that your loved one was taken advantage of. That’s why our team is committed to fighting for you. Connect with us today to learn how we can guide you through this process.
