4 Simple Steps to Stop Grandparent Scams
By understanding the most common scams targeting seniors and learning how to reduce the risks, we can all work together to keep them safe.
In today’s world, where personal data is everywhere and AI is making scams more personalized and convincing, it’s becoming harder to spot danger—even for tech-savvy younger generations. So, it’s no surprise that elders are particularly vulnerable. Scammers know this and deliberately target them with Grandparent Scams, preying on their trust and generosity. Unlike younger people, seniors don’t have the time to financially recover from a major loss. After years of hard work, a devastating scam can leave them with few options.
This is why we need to step up and protect this vulnerable community. At HomeFree, our Care Professionals are trained in elder fraud prevention, helping to spot the warning signs and protect your loved ones. By understanding the most common scams targeting seniors and learning how to reduce the risks, we can all work together to keep them safe.
4 Simple Steps to Protect Elders from Scams
To lower the risk of your loved ones falling victim to grandparent scams, you can focus on changing their behavior or putting fraud prevention safeguards in place. We recommend doing both, but it’s best to start with safeguards.
1. Get Their Leaked Data Deleted
Data brokers scrape personal data from across the web, package it into a profile, and sell it to anyone willing to pay—including scammers. For a couple of hundred dollars a year, services like Privacy Bee or Mozilla Monitor can remove your loved one’s information. You can also manually request removals for free, but there are hundreds of data brokers, making this time-consuming.
2. Register Their Number on the National Do Not Call List
In Canada, registering a phone number on the National Do Not Call List can reduce telemarketing calls. It takes less than a minute and is a simple step to minimize risks. Register their number here.
3. Set Up Banking Alerts
All major banks in Canada offer alerts for suspicious activity. Set up alerts for large or unusual transactions, and consider having the notifications sent directly to your phone.
4. Enhance Computer Security
Ensure your loved one’s devices have reputable antivirus and anti-malware software installed. Consider using programs like Malwarebytes or Bitdefender and enable automatic updates to keep their system secure.
Educating and Training Your Loved One On Fraud Prevention
Once you’ve established these safeguards, it’s important to educate and train your loved one to be less susceptible to grandparent scams.
Educate Them About Common Scams
One of the most effective ways to protect seniors is by educating them about common scams and their warning signs. Encourage skepticism of unsolicited calls, emails, or letters, especially those asking for money or personal information. Always remind them to verify the identity of anyone requesting sensitive details.
Tip: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Promote Open Communication
Let your loved one know they can always reach out if they’re suspicious about something or are considering a financial decision. Assure them it’s okay to hang up on or ignore suspicious callers, and that there’s no shame in asking for help.
Tip: Legitimate organizations will never pressure them into making immediate decisions over the phone.
Encourage Safe Internet Practices
Teach your loved one to avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. Remind them to check website URLs for secure connections (look for “https://”) before entering personal information.
Tip: Encourage them to double-check with a family member if they’re unsure about something online.
Review Their Social Media Use
Help them adjust privacy settings on social media to limit who can see their posts. Remind them not to share sensitive information, such as their address or vacation plans, publicly.
Tip: Take time to review their social media accounts together to ensure their settings are secure.
Secure Personal Documents
Encourage your loved one to shred financial statements, receipts, and other documents containing personal information before discarding them. This simple habit helps protect against identity theft.
Stay Informed About New Scams
Scammers are constantly evolving their techniques, so staying updated is crucial. Keep an eye on reliable resources like the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre or the Competition Bureau for information on emerging scams. At HomeFree, our Care Professionals are not only trained in elder fraud prevention but are also kept up to date on new scams, ensuring they’re equipped to help protect your elder loved ones from potential fraud. Together, we can stay one step ahead of scammers and keep our loved ones safe.
Common Scams Targeting Seniors
Grandparent Scams
Scammers impersonate a relative, claiming they’re in an emergency and need money immediately. They pressure the elder to act quickly, reducing the chances of verifying the story. The money is usually sent via wire transfer or gift cards, making it nearly impossible to recover.
The fix: Encourage your loved one to verify the identity of the caller by asking personal questions or calling the actual relative back. Remind them that urgent requests for money through untraceable methods are red flags.
Romance Scams
Loneliness can make seniors particularly vulnerable to romance scams. Fraudsters create fake profiles on dating sites, building relationships with seniors and eventually asking for money to cover fake emergencies or travel expenses.
The fix: Remind your loved one to be cautious when communicating with strangers online, especially if money is mentioned.
Tech Support Scams
We’ve all seen those “virus warning” pop-ups. Fraudsters posing as tech support convince victims their computer is compromised and offer to fix it for a fee or by gaining remote access.
The fix: Make sure your loved one knows never to give remote access to their computer unless they’ve initiated contact with a trusted company. Regularly update their security software to minimize pop-up attacks.
Phishing Scams
Seniors often receive emails that appear to be from legitimate sources, asking for personal information or prompting them to click a link. These emails can look alarmingly real.
The fix: Advise your loved one to never click links or provide personal information from unsolicited emails. If unsure, they should contact the company directly to verify the request.
Home Repair Scams
Scammers offer low-cost home repairs, often claiming they have leftover materials from another job. They may take payment upfront and disappear or do subpar work.
The fix: Urge your loved one to verify credentials and get contracts in writing. It’s always safer to work with a trusted contractor rather than someone who shows up unannounced.
Investment Scams
Seniors are often targeted with fraudulent investment opportunities that promise high returns. These scammers pressure their victims to act quickly, emphasizing potential loss if they hesitate.
The fix: Encourage your loved one to consult with a trusted financial advisor before making any major investment decisions.
Healthcare and Insurance Scams
Fraudsters pose as representatives from healthcare services, like Alberta Health, and ask for personal information under the guise of updating records.
The fix: Remind your loved one that healthcare providers will never ask for personal information over the phone or via unsolicited calls. Always verify any requests with a trusted provider.
Charity Scams
These scams exploit seniors’ generosity, especially after disasters or during crises, by soliciting donations for fake charities.
The fix: Encourage donations to well-known, reputable charities. Legitimate organizations will never pressure for immediate donations over the phone.
Government Impersonation Scams
Scammers pose as officials from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or Service Canada, claiming your loved one owes money and threatening legal action unless immediate payment is made.The fix: The CRA and Service Canada will never call demanding payment. Encourage your loved one to verify any claim by contacting the agencies directly using official numbers.
