Do you and your parents know the red flags of a scam?
According to the Investor Protection Trust, one out of every five persons over the age of 65 has been victimized by a financial swindle. One recent study estimated that older Americans are defrauded out of nearly three billion dollars each year.
Be sure that your parents know how they can protect themselves from fraud. For example, they should avoid giving out personal information to strangers in response to texts, emails or calls, regardless of who they claim to be or where they claim to be calling from. Be alert for behaviors that may indicate your parent is a victim of financial exploitation, such as unpaid bills, an unexplained lack of money or the sudden appearance of a new “friend.”
What is the plan in case of cognitive issues or other health problems where your parents may not be able to take care of their own finances?
Encourage your parent to officially ask someone to serve as their medical and financial proxy or power of attorney. It is best if your parent chooses someone who they trust to make their financial decisions. If possible, there should agreement within the family about who is being entrusted with these responsibilities. This person should also maintain clear communication with all family members.
Where do your parents keep their accounts, records, insurance policies, and other important financial documents in case they are needed?
If an elderly parent’s health suddenly deteriorates, out-of-pocket expenses can add up quickly. Discuss all sources of income and insurance coverage to determine how and if your parent might cover unanticipated medical treatment. If your parents agree, familiarize yourself with their insurance coverage and financial assets such as savings, pension plans, stocks, IRAs and 401K plans. Income, assets and insurance affect Medicaid eligibility and Medicare options.
What are your parents’ wishes for their assets, estate, and future quality of life?
Ask your parents whether they have created a will and where it is located. Know your parents’ views on end-of-life care as well, and make sure their preferences are recorded in an official document such as a living will or advanced health care directive long before they no longer are capable of expressing informed consent.
Is your parent comfortable with the prospect of living in a nursing home, or does he or she have plans to move in with a family member or friend should special care be required? Be open and direct about your ability to honor these wishes. If your parents need nursing home care, it’s important to know if their monthly income meets state eligibility requirements for Medicaid.
For more resources, Minnesotans can contact the Senior LinkAge Line, a free service offered by the state that guides older adults and their families to community resources. The North American Securities Administrators Association’s Serve Our Seniors webpage offers also offers information for caregivers.
Family gatherings are a good opportunity to check in with family members and share how they can protect themselves from fraud.
Avoid lecturing or scaring them into isolation. Remind them that everyone can be vulnerable to scams and they are not alone.
Tell them they should avoid giving out personal information to strangers in response to texts, emails or calls, regardless of who they claim to be or where they claim to be calling from.
Be alert for behaviors that may indicate your parent is a victim of financial exploitation, such as unpaid bills, an unexplained lack of money or the sudden appearance of a new “friend.”
If you need help, here are 3 icebreakers to start talking about scams
- So did you win the lottery yet? Using humor can help demonstrate the absurdity of winning a foreign lottery of a country they have never visited. This type of scams will induce the would-be victim to hand over tens of thousands of dollars to pay the “taxes” on the foreign lottery winnings.
- Asking for a friend. Did you hear that scammers are calling people impersonating the IRS or the Sheriff’s office to get them to pay back taxes or to avoid arrest? Sharing can help create awareness so that your loved ones can recognize the warning signs of a potential fraud.
- It happened to me! I received a call from someone pretending to be my son in jail in a foreign country. Sharing stories can help your loved one feel like they are not alone and it can happen to anyone.
Tell them that scammers use scare tactics online or over the phone get you to send money, provide personal information or gain access to your computer. If someone calls and wants you to hand over money, be very suspicious. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
