At Parker workshop, seniors warned about scams
Older adults are increasingly being targeted by scammers who use trust, urgency and technology to pressure victims into giving up money or personal information, experts warned at a recent workshop at the Parker Jewish Institute in New Hyde Park.
The free “Shielding Seniors: Protect Yourself from Scams and Identity Theft” program focused on helping older adults recognize, avoid and report common scams. The initiative was funded by a grant from the New York Bar Foundation.
Scammers may impersonate grandchildren or other loved ones and claim they urgently need financial help. Artificial intelligence and other technology can make such schemes more convincing by allowing scammers to “spoof” a loved one’s voice.
Other scams discussed at the workshop included Medicare and health insurance fraud, fake government or utility-provider demands, cryptocurrency schemes, tech-support scams, fraudulent home repairs and online romance scams.
Warning signs include unsolicited requests for money or personal information, demands for cash, gift cards or wire transfers, and pressure to act quickly or keep a situation secret. Experts also cautioned that unsolicited offers that seem unusually inexpensive — such as a low-cost roof repair — can be warning signs of fraud.
When in doubt, consumers should hang up and contact the person or organization directly using a trusted phone number, such as one printed on a bank card, account statement or utility bill. People also should avoid clicking links in unexpected emails or text messages.
Families can establish a private “safe word” to verify emergency calls. If a pop-up warns that someone is trying to access a computer or other device, experts advised shutting the device down immediately.
People who believe they have shared personal information with a scammer can consider freezing their credit with Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
“Everyone needs to be on high alert when it comes to scams, not just older adults,” said Michael N. Rosenblut, president and CEO of the Parker Jewish Institute. “It’s important to recognize the pattern: scammers gain your trust, create a sense of urgency and pressure you to act quickly.”
Speakers included attorney Ann-Margaret Corrozza; Jennifer Benjamin of Family First Home Companion; Cindy Manigat of M&T Bank; James Donnelly of Safe Haven Insurance Agency; and NYPD Police Officer Samantha Gleason.
Reported by Parker Jewish Institute
