Scammers never let a crisis go to waste.

Hi-tech thieves have used the pandemic to prey on the elderly with phone calls and emails.

Some pretend to offer priority vaccines to seniors.

They may try to impersonate the Red Cross or the CDC and get you to either donate or give your personal information.

Others tug on your heartstrings with fake charities to help fictitious victims of covid-19.

Some claim to be from Medicare or the Social Security Administration and want your social security number.

Never give your SSN out to anyone over the phone.

Crooks may try to sell prescription drugs at a discount rate over the phone with your credit card.

Seniors are targeted because they tend to be trusting.

They also usually have financial savings, own a home and have good credit—all of which make them attractive to scammers.

A common victim’s response is, “But he was so convincing, so polite, and sounded so trustworthy.”

Here is just one of a million examples:

My uncle received a phone call from someone that said there was a problem with a check he had used to pay his electric bill and they needed his bank account and SSN.

He trustingly gave them the information.

A few months went by and he didn’t receive any bank statements.

His statements were being sent to an address in the Midwest, and $12,000 had been withdrawn from his account from an ATM in Tennessee.

Scammers target seniors in 2 ways: they use fear tactics or they gain trust.

A scammer who can gain the trust of a senior can pretend to be a grandchild needing money.

On the other hand, a scammer using fear or intimidation can pretend to be from the IRS.

In this case, criminals generally threaten victims with owing back taxes and warn foreclosure, arrest, or deportation if a payment isn’t made.

Please, before you give money to anyone over the phone or through an email, get a 2nd opinion!

Next: Should I consider a care facility?

Dan Williams is the senior adult pastor at Lexington Baptist Church.