By Leon Merian, Leon Merian Group
Senior Focused Real Estate Services
As a Realtor and advocate for older adults, I have seen first-hand how critical it is to protect seniors from scams. My very own parents have fallen prey to scams, so getting the word out is near and dear to me.
Unfortunately, many older adults are targeted by fraudsters who prey on trust and financial stability. These scams often exploit urgency and emotion, making it crucial for seniors and their families to recognize the tactics used. With the holidays coming up, it’s a wonderful time to discuss the importance of staying alert and, unfortunately, suspicious. Take the time to do this with the entire family incorporated as a teaching moment. Better to be safe than sorry!
Imposter scams are particularly common. On the South Shore, some seniors were recently contacted by individuals pretending to be their grandchildren, claiming to be in urgent trouble and requesting immediate payments through wire transfers or gift cards. These emotional scams can lead to quick, unverified actions. I strongly suggest coming up with a family “safe word” so if someone says or claims to be a family member, ask for the “safe word” (i.e. French fries or a unique question, such as where their last vacation was or what color car Grandma drives – something/anything to verify you’re communicating with whom you think you are).
Door-to-door home improvement scams are another issue, as seen in Hingham, where unscrupulous contractors took deposits for roof repairs and vanished without completing the work. Door-to-door solicitation, especially today, should be addressed with caution, unless I’m asking if you’d like to sell your house!
Medicare scams have also been reported in Quincy, where fraudsters posing as representatives requested personal information under the guise of updating Medicare details, leading to potential identity theft. Real estate and rental scams are also prevalent, such as one in Marshfield, where a senior was tricked into wiring money for a non-existent rental property. These examples are just the tip of the iceberg; however, the point is that there is are numerous variations of scam attempts.
Spotting scams requires vigilance. Be cautious of urgency, unverified identities, unusual payment methods like gift cards or wire transfers, sending a bank check overnight and offers that seem too good to be true. To protect yourself, verify information before acting, avoid sharing personal details with unsolicited callers, and rely on trusted professionals for services like home repairs or real estate. If the person requesting information gets frustrated and makes you feel uncomfortable, that is a red flag! If you suspect a scam, report it to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office or your local police department.
By staying informed and sharing knowledge with others, we can build a safer community for our seniors. If you have questions about safeguarding your finances or housing options, feel free to reach out to me – I’m here to help. Together, we can navigate these challenges safely and confidently, but bottom line, when in doubt, check it out!
Please tune into my radio show on WMEX on December 3 at 6 p.m. when Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz will be on to address scams.
