It’s easy to think that if a loved one was being scammed, that they’d simply tell you. Unfortunately, whether your loved one is elderly, vulnerable or simply answered the phone to the wrong person, there could be a variety of reasons why they might keep this information to themselves. They may be embarrassed that they’ve been duped, they may be too frightened to acknowledge what has happened or, they may not even realise that they’ve been targeted by criminals and are losing money.
While we might think that only gullible people fall for scams, the complexity and the audacity of some criminals means that they’ll stop at nothing to gain access to your personal and financial information. For example, receiving a call from a suspicious looking source will make you question ‘who is this number’ and you’ll probably reject the call then block the number. However, if a number with a caller ID listed as the NHS were to call, you’d probably answer it with confidence. Unfortunately, numbers like these can easily be spoofed or duplicated by criminals and have been linked to a medical scam call, making it all too easy for victims – vulnerable or otherwise – to fall for these kinds of scams.
In this post, we’ll identify signs that might indicate your loved one has been the victim of fraud or a scam. Read on to find out more.
1: They Suddenly Have No Money
If your loved one was previously comfortable, had plenty of savings or had a stable income and is now unexpectedly struggling to make ends meet, there could be an issue. Perhaps they’re asking to borrow money from you to cover their bills or to pay for shopping, or maybe they can no longer afford the things they usually enjoy. If you’re worried, don’t be afraid to ask them if everything is ok.
2: They’re Secretive About Their Finances
Of course, most people keep their finances private, but if you find that your loved one is suddenly very secretive about their money or becomes irritated and defensive about their financial situation then it could be a sign that something has gone wrong.
3: They’re Receiving A Lot of Phone Calls
Is your loved one suddenly receiving a lot of phone calls? And are they consistently giving their bank details over the phone? If so, this is incredibly worrying, especially if they’re cagey or secretive about the calls.
What To Do If You Think Your Loved One Has Been Targeted
If you think your loved one is a victim of a scam or fraud, then consider talking to them about it first. Listen to them very carefully and remind them that they’re not gullible or the only person to have ever fallen for a scam. Ensure you and your loved one cut off the connection that the criminals have to their finances. Block the numbers, email addresses, and change all these passwords quickly. You should contact the authorities and file a report.
Final Thoughts…
No one likes the idea of their loved one being targeted by scammers, openly discussing tactics used by criminals and helping family members remain vigilant can help keep their finances safe.
