By Steven V. Dubin

What? You are an attractive young woman and complete stranger. And you find my Facebook posts interesting? You’d like to “friend” me?

You can’t fool me. My Facebook posts of my lunch at the 99 Restaurant or a selfie at a ball game can’t be interesting to anyone. Even me. So what’s the deal?

This is commonly referred to as the “romance scam.”

Soon you want to write or talk directly on the phone. Maybe you start talking about true love, but you live far away, or you are in the military. Eventually you need money for an emergency surgery or some other urgent reason.

Seniors are often targeted by scammers due to perceived vulnerabilities, but we can take several steps to protect ourselves from scams. Here are keyways seniors can avoid falling victim to scams:

Be skeptical of unsolicited contact

Unknown calls, emails, or texts. Be cautious with unexpected phone calls, emails, or texts asking for personal information or money. Scammers often pose as representatives from well-known organizations like banks, government agencies, or utilities.

Verify identity. Before sharing any information, verify the identity of the person or organization by contacting them directly using a known and official contact method. Check the email address – does it match the name of the company website?

Know common scam types

Impersonation scams. Scammers pretend to be government officials (like IRS or Social Security), relatives in distress, or representatives from trusted companies.

Tech support scams. Fraudsters claim your computer has a virus and offer to “fix” it, often gaining remote access to steal data.

Lottery/prize scams. Scammers tell victims they’ve won a prize, but to claim it, they must pay a fee or provide personal information.

Phishing scams. Emails or texts that seem to come from legitimate sources but ask for personal details like passwords or financial information.

Guard personal information

Do not share personal or financial information. Never give out personal details (e.g., Social Security number, bank account details, credit card information) over the phone, email, or text unless you’re certain of the identity of the recipient.

Shred sensitive documents. Properly dispose of documents containing personal information to prevent identity theft.

Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication

Secure online accounts. Create strong, unique passwords for online accounts and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) when possible.

Avoid public wi-fi for financial transactions. Don’t conduct banking or financial activities over public wi-fi networks to prevent hackers from intercepting your data.

Beware of pressure tactics

Don’t rush. Scammers often create a sense of urgency or fear, pressuring the victim to act quickly. Take your time and consult with someone you trust before making any decisions.

Hang up or delete messages. If a call, email, or message feels suspicious, hang up or delete it. Legitimate organizations will not pressure you for immediate action.

Monitor financial accounts regularly

Check bank and credit card statements. Regularly review financial statements for any suspicious activity or unauthorized transactions.

Set up alerts. Many banks offer fraud alerts or notifications for large transactions, which can help detect unusual activity early.

Use call and email blocking features

Block spam calls and emails. Use built-in spam filters on email services and block unsolicited calls using your phone’s settings or apps designed to filter spam calls.

Join the National Do Not Call Registry. Register phone numbers with the Do Not Call Registry to reduce unwanted telemarketing calls. To do so, visit www.donotcall.gov.

Stay educated about new scams

Stay informed. Regularly update yourself about the latest scams by visiting trusted resources like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), AARP, or local law enforcement.

Talk to others. Share information with friends and family about scams to raise awareness within your social circle.

Get a second opinion

Ask for help. If you’re unsure about a situation, ask a trusted family member, friend, or financial advisor before proceeding. Scammers rely on isolation, so getting input from others can prevent rash decisions.

Report scams

Report suspicious activity. If you believe you’ve been targeted by a scam, report it to local authorities, the FTC, or a trusted organization that handles consumer protection. Call the FTC at 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357) or go online to ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Don’t have your heart or bank account broken by staying informed, cautious, and vigilant.

If you know of a senior who is doing something interesting with their retirement, I look forward to hearing from you! Please email me at SDubin@PRWorkZone.com 

Steven V. Dubin is the founder of PR Works, a lightly used public relations firm based in Plymouth which helps small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations and for-profit companies navigate the overwhelming options of advertising. Steve lives in Plymouth with his wife, Wendy. He is a contributing author to “Get Slightly Famous” and “Tricks of the Trade,” the complete guide to succeeding in the advice business. He recently authored “PR 101,” an E-book.