Common Social Engineering Frauds
Here are a few examples of social engineering frauds targeting senior citizens:
Medicare or Health Insurance Scams: Scammers contact seniors, posing as Medicare representatives or health insurance companies, claiming they need to verify or update personal information.
Tactics: Seniors are asked to provide their Medicare number, Social Security number, or other personal information, which scammers use for identity theft or to file fraudulent medical claims.
Grandparent Scams: Scammers impersonate a senior’s grandchild or another family member in distress, claiming they are in an emergency situation and need money immediately.
Tactics: The scammer pleads for help, asking the senior to send money via wire transfer or gift cards, often warning them not to tell anyone else in the family.
Tech Support Scams: Scammers call or email seniors claiming their computer has a virus or other technical issue and offer to fix it remotely.
Tactics: Seniors are tricked into granting remote access to their computers, allowing the scammer to steal personal information, install malware, or charge for unnecessary "repairs."
Pension or Retirement Fund Scams: Scammers pose as financial advisors, offering opportunities to access pension or retirement funds early or promising high returns on retirement investments.
Tactics: The victim is asked to transfer their retirement savings to a fraudulent account or provide personal financial details. Once the funds are transferred, the scammer disappears, and the victim loses their retirement savings.
Tax Refund or IRS Scams: Scammers impersonate tax authorities like the IRS, contacting individuals about unpaid taxes or fake refunds to steal sensitive information.
Tactics: The victim is contacted via phone, email, or text and pressured into providing personal details like Social Security numbers, bank information, or credit card numbers under the threat of legal action or fines. The scammer uses this information to commit identity theft or financial fraud.
Insurance Fraud: Scammers pretend to be representatives from an insurance company, offering fake policies or claiming the victim's existing insurance is expiring.
Tactics: The victim is pressured into renewing their insurance or purchasing a new policy, often providing personal and financial details. After payment, the scammer disappears, leaving the victim without coverage or protection.
These frauds often exploit seniors' trust and willingness to help others, making them vulnerable to these types of social engineering attacks.