How to Protect Older Persons from Scammers - A Family Guide

Protect older persons from scams by verifying unsolicited contacts, never sharing personal information with strangers, and checking suspicious requests with a trusted family member. The guide below outlines common scam types and practical steps families can take to stay alert.

What you’ll learn:

• Strong passwords and up-to-date antivirus software prevent scammers from exploiting online accounts and accessing personal data.

• Learn practical steps below, from encouraging open conversations to strengthening online security and checking suspicious requests before any money is sent.

• Comfort Keepers provides guidance to families across Ireland, protecting vulnerable individuals from fraud attempts.

• Common scam types in Ireland include lottery scams, banking fraud, impersonation scams, including the 'Hi Mum' text scam, home repair fraud, fake charities, and romance scams.

• Banks and public agencies in Ireland continue to warn about family impersonation scams sent by text message.

• Contact your local Garda Station immediately if a loved one has been targeted by or fallen victim to a scam.

Stay alert to scam warning signs

Beware of scammers!

Scammers are becoming more clever and sophisticated as the world grows digital and automated. They use phone calls, texts, emails, and fake websites to catch people off guard. Older persons can face added risk when a message sounds urgent or appears to come from someone they trust.

As one of Ireland's leading homecare providers, Comfort Keepers understands the importance of protecting our loved ones from these threats.

This guide provides valuable information and tips to help you and your family be aware of scammers targeting older persons.

Why is there a growing threat of scams targeting older persons? 

Scam attempts continue to affect families across Ireland. Banks, consumer bodies, and Gardaí regularly warn about fraud carried out through text messages, phone calls, emails, and impersonation tactics.

Financial exploitation and trusting natures 

Older people are especially at risk of financial exploitation when a scammer imitates a trusted organisation or a family member. Reliable home help for older persons and regular family conversations can make suspicious requests easier to spot.

The Message That Doesn't Sound Right 

Your father rings to tell you about a text supposedly from your sister asking for money. Her phone was damaged, the message says, and she needs funds transferred urgently. 

Something about the wording feels off. When you check with your sister, she confirms she never sent it. You realise scammers are exploiting family bonds and creating artificial urgency to bypass usual caution.

What are the most common scams in Ireland? 

There are a number of scams currently prevalent in Ireland. Below are some of the most prevalent types:

1. Fake lottery and prize scams 

Scammers often claim that their target has won the lotto or some other prize. They require a payment or the person's personal information to claim their "winnings."

2. Banking and financial fraud 

Fraudsters may pose as bank employees, request sensitive financial information or convince older adults to transfer money.

Banks like AIB list text message scams, phone fraud, investment scams, and family impersonation scams among the fraud types people are seeing in Ireland.

3. Impersonation and family emergency texts 

Scammers may pretend to be government officials, such as Revenue employees and demand immediate payments or threaten legal action. However, officials are not the only people being impersonated.

Bank of Ireland is warning that scammers are now impersonating family members to steal funds and engage in identity theft.

The 'Hi Mum or Hi Dad' scam remains a common scam tactic in Ireland. Fraudsters are sending texts pretending to be from a family member with a lost or damaged phone in need of money.

4. Home improvement and contractor fraud 

Untrustworthy contractors may offer home repair services, take payment, and disappear without completing the work.

Some use aggressive tactics to pressure individuals into unnecessary agreements or hand over the cash.

5. Charity and donation scams 

Scammers create fake charities and seek donations from kind-hearted individuals. These scams can happen online, by phone, or at the door, so it helps to check the charity through its official website or phone number before giving money.

6. Romance and relationship scams 

Con artists use various methods, including fraudulent phone calls, email phishing attempts, romance scams, and even in-person scams.

How does technology enable new scam methods? 

Scammers now exploit technology to access more tools for targeting older adults. Phone calls, emails, and text messages are all used to initiate contact with unsuspecting victims.

Voice cloning and AI threats 

Some fraudsters spoof legitimate phone numbers or use AI-generated voices to appear more convincing. Educating older family members about the risks associated with these modern methods of communication and trends can significantly reduce their risk.

Regular mental health support for older people can help them stay mentally sharp and better equipped to recognise these threats.

How can you help older family members avoid scams? 

Staying vigilant and taking preventative measures provides essential fraud protection for seniors and their loved ones against scams targeting vulnerable people.

Here are some steps you can take to protect your older family members:

Stay informed using reliable sources 

As part of our mission to protect our older persons, we recommend staying informed about the latest scam methods.

Trusted organisations like Age Action are excellent resources for staying up to date on the latest scams and trends in fraud.

Being well-informed is the first line of defence against these scammers.

Encourage open communication about fraud 

Open conversations and education are highly effective in helping older people avoid scams. Start by discussing the common types of scams outlined earlier and sharing the information from reliable sources.

Encourage your family members to ask questions and seek guidance if they have any concerns or doubts. Emphasise verifying unsolicited calls or messages before engaging with them.

Staying connected with trusted family members can further help provide the social support needed to remain alert.

Practice healthy scepticism 

Teach older persons to adopt a sceptical approach to avoid scams. Teach them to:

1. Question unsolicited offers involving money, prizes, or financial transactions.

2. Never share personal information, such as PPS numbers, bank account details, or passwords, with strangers.

3. Avoid making hasty decisions when pressured by a sense of urgency, as legitimate organisations won't rush you into making financial commitments.

4. Always verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a government official or charity worker.

5. Ask for identification or independently verify their legitimacy.

Implement strong passwords and two-factor authentication 

Strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication protect online accounts from exploitation. Scammers exploit weak passwords to access personal information every day. It's one of the most common sources of fraudulent activity.

Help set up secure passwords and update them regularly. Ensure that their devices have up-to-date antivirus software to protect against online scams.

Trust instincts and verify requests 

The most important thing you can do is trust your gut. Sometimes, our instincts can be our best defence against scams.

If something seems too good to be true or feels suspicious, it probably is. Encourage your family members to trust their gut feelings and always err on the side of caution.

What steps should be taken if a scam occurs? 

If your parents have been targeted by a scam or if you suspect they may have fallen victim or shared financial details, don't hesitate to seek professional help and request a credit freeze from their bank if financial details were compromised.

Reporting incidents to authorities 

In serious cases, contact your local Garda Station and, if necessary, consult a solicitor or another legal advisor. Keep copies of messages, payment details, receipts, and any other relevant records.

Remember, the sooner you act, the better the chances of minimising the damage caused by the scam.

How does professional homecare support safety? 

As a homecare provider in Ireland, Comfort Keepers is dedicated to providing support and assistance to older persons and vulnerable people with practical day-to-day help at home.

If you require guidance on how to prevent scams or need help addressing a situation involving a loved one, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Our team is always here to offer advice and assistance to protect vulnerable people in our communities from scammers.

Help Protect Older Persons from Scammers

Protecting older persons from scammers is a collective effort that requires vigilance, education, and communication.

Stay informed about common scams, talk openly with your family, and check unusual messages before any money or personal details are shared.

Remember, knowledge is the key to prevention, and together, we can protect our older persons from the growing threat of scams with the help of Comfort Keepers Ireland!

Connect with us

To start arranging care for your loved one, visit our steps to starting care.

To join our award-winning team, you can apply now or email your CV to recruitment@comfortkeepers.ie