Senior scams are an increasing problem around the country, according to panelists at Aljoya’s Scam Jam event on Nov. 12.

Criminals prey on elderly adults because they have money tucked away for retirement, and because they’re home, more likely to answer the phone, friendlier to strangers who call them and easier targets for emotionally-based scams.

One of the more common schemes is called the “grandma scam,” in which a criminal posing as a senior’s granddaughter or grandson calls them to say that they’re in trouble and need money.

“When you get your heartstrings involved, it’s difficult to think rationally,” said Jennifer Franklin, Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) Emergency Manager and Crime Prevention Officer.

Franklin said her best piece of advice is to not answer the phone unless you know who’s calling, to “limit these peoples’ access to you.” She said you should never give out your Social Security number or credit card information over the phone unless you made the call.

“Fraud is becoming so prevalent, not just for older adults, but for everybody,” Franklin said, noting that cases of identity theft reported to the MIPD doubled from 2014 to 2015.

The Internet is making data and identity theft easier and more lucrative for criminals, while also making it harder for them to get caught. Panelists urged seniors to make sure their home wireless network is secure, and to be cautious about using public wifi in shopping malls and coffee shops. Four out of 10 people use public wifi at least monthly, and one out of four use it for banking, said Terry Montgomery, a volunteer with AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

Other panelists said it’s important to ask  questions and not make any emotional decisions without verifying the information. Many scams rely on high pressure sales tactics that demand immediate payment, usually through money grams or wire transfers.

Montgomery said the “IRS scam” is also prevalent. A criminal will call or send an email pretending to be from the IRS or the bank, demand immediate payment and threaten arrest. The real IRS would never do that, he said.

Other scams involve Medicare, Craigslist, sweepstakes/giveaways and home repair, in which a “contractor” comes to someone’s door and says they can offer a great deal, but need a big down payment right away. Jody Stenchever from Banner Bank’s fraud prevention office said one woman came to her with stacks of letters saying she had won a Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes, and did not believe it was a scam. The same scenario can happen with the “sweetheart scam,” in which someone a person meets on a dating site promises marriage, then asks for money.

“It’s very difficult to convince these people they’re victims of fraud,” she said.

Eric Moss from the Washington State Attorney General’s Office said that for every senior scam that is reported, 43 are not, partially due to embarrassment or inability to recognize scams.

“People are willing to help you,” Franklin said. “Please ask questions and don’t feel embarrassed. It happens to everybody… But we can stop these people by working together as a community.”

Tips

-If you think you received a call from a Medicare representative, check it out by calling SHIBA at 1-800-562-6900.

-Don’t use public wifi for banking or purchases.

-Check monthly bank statements or monitor your account online.

-Don’t use the same password for email or social media that you do for financial accounts.

-Require a written proposal for any contract work, ask for the contractor’s name and license number and research with the Better Business Bureau or Department of Labor and Industry.

-Make sure charities are registered with the Washington Secretary of State before donating.

-Develop a refusal script for people offering deals.

-Use a secure mailbox to send bills.

-Shred financial documents before throwing them out.

-Make sure any attorney offering to help you with trusts or estate planning is licensed and certified.