Few things are as upsetting as seeing an older loved one be victimized by a financial scam, triggering financial losses as well as emotional distress for the entire family.
Thousands of older Canadians fall prey to financial scams every year, often without even realizing it until it’s too late. It has led to millions of dollars in lost savings as well as mental health issues among the victims. With the advent of technology, scams are becoming larger and easier to perpetrate, causing hardship and misery to society’s most vulnerable population.
This month’s blog examines how these scams operate and offers guidance on protecting an older loved one from harm.
Why do scammers target older people?
Scammers rarely choose their victims at random and target older adults because they typically have a unique set of vulnerabilities. For example, many live alone or far away from their children, making them more susceptible to unsolicited calls or emails. Today’s older population are also quite trusting and respectful of authority, which puts them at risk of falling prey to scammers posing as family members in distress or government officials. Furthermore, many older people aren’t keeping up with rapid advances in technology, making it easier for fraudsters to exploit gaps in digital literacy.
Sadly, financial scams perpetrated on older adults are vastly underreported. Many reports suggest victims are reluctant to come forward out of embarrassment, fear of losing their independence, or not knowing where to turn for help. Unfortunately, many scammers take advantage of this and continue to target older people, not only stealing their money but also robbing them of confidence, peace of mind, and a sense of safety.
Most common scams targeting older adults in Canada
Scammers are quite creative in finding new ways to exploit people’s vulnerabilities and swindle them out of their money. Here’s a list of the most common scams affecting older Canadians today:
CRA and government official impersonation scams
An alarming scam that has been ongoing for years involves fraudsters posing as representatives from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or other government agencies. These callers often use aggressive language, threatening arrest or legal action over supposed unpaid taxes. They may demand payment via wire transfer, bitcoin, or gift cards, all of which are nearly impossible to trace or recover.
Family impersonation scams
If a grandchild calls in distress, any loving grandparent will jump to help. Knowing this, scammers call older adults pretending to be a grandchild or other family member in need of bail money or funds to solve an urgent crisis. Many older people are overwhelmed by this emotional urgency, setting aside skepticism for a few minutes while they take quick action to resolve the problem.
Romance scams
Loneliness is a powerful vulnerability. Scammers exploit this by creating fake profiles on dating sites or social media, taking their time to build emotional connections over weeks or months. Once trust is established, they invent emergencies or opportunities that require financial assistance. Romance scams are often repeatable, with the fraudster returning for more money to solve new “problems”.
Tech support scams
A sudden call or pop-up message on an older person’s computer may cause alarm if it claims their computer is infected with a virus. The “technician” then offers to fix the problem if provided remote access to the laptop or upon payment of a fee. The truth is that they are seeking to steal personal information or banking credentials from the computer, and may even install malware to steal data.
Lottery and prize scams
If you get an arbitrary phone call or pop-up on the computer saying you’ve won a prize, you might be winning something you don’t want. Victims are told that they need to pay taxes or processing fees before their winnings are released. These scams often use official-looking documents and convincing stories to lure victims into sending money for a prize that never arrives.
New and emerging scams
As new technology is developed, so are new ways to defraud older people. For example, AI voice scams can mimic the sound of a loved one, making family emergency pleas even more convincing. Furthermore, after disasters or major news events, fake charity requests suddenly surge, capitalizing on people’s genuine desire to help others.
Signs that an older loved one may have been victimized
As noted above, many instances of older people being scammed are underreported, but there are red flags to watch out for that can indicate someone close to you is being victimized.
For example, they may be having sudden financial troubles, such as bounced checks, unexplained withdrawals, or overdue bills. New “friendships” that revolve around requests for money or a reluctance to discuss financial matters can also indicate exploitation. Additionally, your loved one may seem anxious about phone calls or emails, or be secretive about new contacts.
In all of these instances, it’s worth having a loving, non-judgmental conversation to discover what’s going on.
How to protect older adults from financial scams
Prevention starts with awareness and practical safeguards. Remind your loved ones never to share personal information, such as their Social Insurance Number or banking details, with anyone who contacts them unexpectedly. If they receive a text or email requesting sensitive data or money, ensure they understand that links and downloads should be ignored. The sender’s identity should be verified independently using official contact information rather than the numbers provided in the message.
Encourage your loved ones to shred sensitive documents before discarding them and to keep their computers and devices protected with up-to-date antivirus software. Most importantly, foster a culture of open communication where your loved one feels comfortable discussing any unusual requests or encounters with trusted family members or caregivers.
Visit The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for additional support and up-to-date information on current scams.
What to do if your older loved one has been scammed
Report the incident to The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, which tracks scam trends and helps coordinate responses. Also, notify your loved ones’ bank or credit card company immediately so they can try to freeze accounts or reverse fraudulent transactions. You should also file a police report in cases of significant losses or threats to their person or property.
Perhaps most importantly, be sure you remain calm and reassure your loved one that you’ll do everything you can to help. They may feel ashamed or anxious and will appreciate your loving understanding and support.
Remember, your family doesn’t have to face this alone. CareHop is ready to provide professional support and expert guidance in all matters relating to protecting older people’s health, safety, and happiness.
Quality In-Home Elder Care Services in Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, and Brampton
CareHop specializes in providing safe, professional eldercare services, including on-demand Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care, personal care, and assistance with physical activities whenever you need it.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation discussion to discover how we can help you with safe, cost-effective eldercare solutions.
