Why are Seniors Susceptible to Identity Theft? To Scams? How Can We Help Them?

 

My father was a very kind gentle man.  Throughout his life, I cannot remember him saying a hateful or  unkind word about anyone he met. Especially about his family and those close to him.   He always had an excuse for someone's crummy actions. He'd smile and say, "Isn't he a great guy?" We would shake our heads wondering how he saw these things.  But we considered this good.. . . What a way to live - so optimistically.    He died in his mid 70's and, loving him as we did, we would have loved him to live longer, but I can't help thinking:  if he did live into his 80's or 90's, would he have been susceptible to identity thefts or scams? 

Researching this subject, I found an article in The Senior Planet that was published last December, 2012.  Shelley Taylor,a research psychologist  for UCLA,   did a test, using  groups of 55 or older, and  groups of 20-somethings as test subjects.  They were shown a set of 50 photos of faces - some identified as shifty looking.  Some elderly couldn't  see it.  They, again and again, had difficulty seeing and interpreting a deceitful face as potentially dishonest.  The young people readily saw it.   These were neurological changes, seen in brain scans, that  came in aging brains.  .So - could it possibly be: that it's a neurological change in the brain of older people?  Yes.

  But others say:  Seniors have a naturally positive bias to making life more positive.  At the end of their lives, they want to see the good in life and people.  So. . . Why make unpleasant waves?

When we say the elderly have trouble keeping up, we blame the  modern  fast-paced world.  But -  A New World is always upon us.  The only thing that doesn't change is change itself.

 The elderly should be overly cautious. Fifty percent or more of scams  are done by family members.  Unfortunately,  they don't see it and  don't recognize that they can't judge people correctly any more.  That's the problem.  They don't see that they have a problem.

 All you Gen. X'ers, Baby Boomers and Millenials - face it and be aware,  your time will come.    

Can anything help?There are a couple of things that come to mind.    BCM Momentum, a forum from Baylor College of Medicine. April 12, 2013,  says that not everyone is vulnerable to cognitive impairment or financial exploitation:
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1.  There is  moderate evidence that physical activity could help with memory problems.  (But check with your doctor first before beginning any exercise program.)   Stay active for a healthy mind, body and bank account. 2.  Seniors have the time to open junk snail mail and e-mails that can be scams. Read them.  But be ready to trash.   Remember:  trashing junk mail is a useable skill.  3.   Get in the habit of checking out *www.snopes.com.   Snopes has a section on fake e-mails and websites that collect personal information. Brains may age, but knowledge is power.   Learn this and review these so you can evaluate whatever information comes your way.


 Remember - Most seniors have a clean slate.  They've saved more over a longer period of time.  They've most likely paid off the mortgage and don't owe much debt, if any.  Their credit is most likely good. It's a no-brainer for identity thieves or scam artists.  Once they're in, they can make life miserable for the elderly, and making life all the better for themselves.  Therefore, you younger generations:  keep a closer watch on parents, aunts, uncles, elderly neighbors and anyone who may be susceptible.  And seniors - keep an eye on yourselves.



*I myself use Snopes regularly to verify facts on e-mails I find offensive.  This was/is particularly helpful to me during political campaigns.