In Georgia, the fastest growing segment of our population is over the age of 60. The Census Bureau estimates that by 2030, older adults will make up 20% of our state population. Sadly, at a time when senior adults should be enjoying their retirement, they have instead become targets of increasingly sophisticated financial scams.

With the proliferation of smart phones, scammers bombard seniors with text messages, emails, and phone calls looking for any way possible to trick them. A common tactic that scammers use is to purport they are from a legitimate organization (such as Netflix, Amazon, PayPal, Microsoft, or even a bank) and send a message indicating there is a problem with an account. If you engage with these types of scammers, they will request money or gift cards to resolve the issue with the account. While requests like these can sound very convincing, they are scams.

If you are concerned that someone is trying to scam you, we have a few suggestions on how to navigate the situation. First, completely disengage. If it’s an email or text message, ignore it. If it’s a phone call, hang up. It’s not rude; it’s prudent. If you think communication might be legitimate, reach out to the organization for confirmation that there is an issue with your account. For example, if you get a message purporting to be your bank, locate the bank’s phone number on your credit or debit card and give them a call. You could also go into your local branch to confirm there are no issues with your account. 

Second, reach out for help from a loved one or trusted friend. These scams are complex. Seniors are not the only people who fall for them. That’s why scammers keep at it. There is no shame if you get caught in a scam. What matters most is getting yourself out of it.

Third, contact local law enforcement and/or Adult Protective Services (APS). Law enforcement and APS are on the frontlines assisting seniors who have been victimized in a variety of ways, and they frequently deal with financial exploitation. Both law enforcement and APS can help explain the scam and provide resources to prevent any future issues.

If you are the family or friend of seniors, we encourage you to specifically ask them if they have gotten any suspicious phone calls, emails, or text messages that could be scamming attempts. An additional layer of oversight and open dialogue about financial vulnerabilities are critical in protecting our seniors from bad actors seeking to take advantage. Be open minded, and remember you are there to help, not to judge. Anyone can fall for a scam. We all play a part in protecting the seniors in our community from financial scams, and we encourage you to include these discussions in your everyday conversations with the seniors in your life. 

Resources

Adult Protective Services, 1-866-552-4464
Canton Police, 770-720-4883
Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, 678-493-4200 
District Attorney’s Office, 770-479-1488
Holly Springs Police, 770-345-5537
Woodstock Police, 678-493-4080

Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger!