Staying Safe: A Senior’s Guide to Spotting and Stopping Scams

We often hear that wisdom comes with age, but unfortunately, scammers believe that wealth comes with it, too. It is an unfortunate reality that pensioners are frequently targeted by fraudsters. These criminals know that seniors often have retirement savings, own their homes, and—perhaps most importantly—tend to be polite and trusting.

However, being older doesn’t mean you have to be vulnerable. By understanding the modern tricks of the trade, you can spot a scam a mile away and keep your hard-earned money safe.

Here is a guide to protecting yourself in an increasingly digital world.

The Golden Rule: Scepticism is Your Shield

The most important tool you have is a healthy dose of doubt. If an offer seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is. If a situation feels urgent or frightening, take a deep breath. Scammers rely on panic to make you act without thinking. Slowing down is your best defence.

The Most Common Scams Targeting Seniors

Knowledge is power. Here are the three most common tactics currently in use:

1. The "Grandparent" Scam

• The Scenario: You receive a frantic phone call or text message from someone claiming to be your grandchild. They sound distressed. They claim they are in trouble—arrested, in a car accident, or stuck in a foreign country—and need money wired immediately. They beg you, "Please don’t tell Mom and Dad."

• The Defense: Hang up. Call your grandchild or their parents on the number you have saved in your address book (not the number that just called you) to verify the story. Nine times out of ten, your grandchild is safe at home.

2. The "Tech Support" Imposter

• The Scenario: A pop-up appears on your computer screen saying you have a virus, or someone calls claiming to be from Microsoft or Apple. They say they need "remote access" to your computer to fix it.

• The Defence: Real tech companies will never call you out of the blue to fix your computer. Never give a stranger remote access to your device. Shut down your computer and restart it if a pop-up won't go away.

3. The Government Official

• The Scenario: Someone calls claiming to be from the SARS, Medical Aid. They threaten that your benefits will be suspended or you will be arrested unless you pay a fine immediately.

• The Defence: Government agencies communicate primarily through the mail. They will never demand immediate payment over the phone, especially via gift cards or wire transfers.

Five Practical Habits to Keep You Safe

You don’t need to be a computer expert to stay safe. Adopting these five simple habits will stop most scammers in their tracks.

1. Let it go to voicemail. If you don’t recognize the number, don’t pick up. If it is important, they will leave a message. Scammers rarely leave messages because they want a live victim.

2. Guard your information. Never give out any of your personal information especially banking details to someone who contacts you first.

3. Create a "Password Book." Many seniors use the same simple password for everything because it’s hard to remember them. Instead, buy a small notebook. Write down complex passwords for your accounts and keep that notebook in a safe place in your home (not near the computer).  Alternatively use free password software:  e.g. LastPass, Bitwarden