The season of giving is around the corner, and fraudsters are ramping up to take advantage of seniors’ goodwill. Families and caregivers are urged to protect their senior loved ones, who are often prime targets, from the wide assortment of holiday scams and frauds.

Holiday scams may simply be variations of the everyday scams seen all year long. However, with the season’s spikes in purchases and website traffic, con artists are varying their scams to trick holiday shoppers as they browse websites, buy gift cards, and make travel arrangements.

1. Holiday Shopping Scams

Special sales abound during the holiday season, and scammers are out to snare elderly bargain hunters. The fraudsters put up fake websites to lure unsuspecting seniors into inputting their financial information or otherwise spending money on items that they will never receive.

Cyber criminals who illegally obtain seniors’ credit card numbers, such as via a bogus website, can use this information to commit identity theft. Also frightening is that they can sell the credit card number on the dark web for a meager sum, sometimes $1 to $2 dollars.

Caregivers can protect seniors from holiday shopping scams by safeguarding all personal and financial information. Advise them to not share credit card numbers over public Wi-Fi. Only make purchases on a secure network. This safety measure is critical to both holiday shopping as well everyday shopping.

When paying for an online purchase, seniors should use a credit card on a secure website. Older people can recognize a secure website when they see the padlock in the browser. Paying by credit card and obtaining a receipt ensure that refunds will be issued in the event of problems.

2. Gift Card Scams

Seniors love to give gift cards, and scammers love to exploit their generosity. Gift cards are favored by scam artists because it gives them plenty of untraceable ways to commit theft. Gift card payment scams and outright gift card theft are two forms of fraud seniors should watch out for.

Scammers contact seniors while posing as representatives from the IRS or other government agency. They claim the older adult must repay a debt or requires a service. The fraudster demands the senior to provide payment in the form of a gift card. Government agencies never ask for payment this way.

Seniors doing their holiday shopping on auction websites may see goods at an attractive discount. However, cyber criminals who notice their interest will ask the senior to pay for the items with a gift card. Once the senior provides the card number and PIN, the money and the crook vanish.

Similarly, during the holidays, crooks may pose as clergy members. These conmen claim to be raising money for a worthwhile cause or a needy congregant. Via email, phone, or text, they contact seniors, asking them to buy gift cards and reveal their numbers.

Older adults can remain protected from gift card scams by not buying gift cards from online auction sites; the cards could be counterfeit or stolen. Do not provide personal information in exchange for a gift card. Delete unsolicited texts or emails offering a gift card; and do not respond.

If callers claiming to be from a government agency, tech company, utility company, or other business ask for payment via gift card, do not provide any gift card information. Legitimate companies and organizations never request payment via gift cards—only scammers do.

3. Charity Scams

Con artists attempt to take advantage of seniors’ generous spirits during the holidays. Before making a charitable donation, review the charity’s annual report. Verify the legitimacy of the organization using resources, such as the BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, or Charity Watch.

Caregivers may also advise seniors to consider giving to organizations they personally know and whose benefits can be seen in the local community. Rather than give to a charity that sounds familiar, know the exact name of the charity—phony charities choose names that sound like reputable ones.

4. Delivery Scams

Senior shoppers will expect holiday packages to be delivered. But delivery scams abound this time of year. Scammers send phishing emails impersonating major delivery services, such as UPS or FedEx. The emails or texts ask the senior to click on a link regarding missed or incoming deliveries.

Urge the senior to remain protected by avoiding clicking on the links, as they can lead to sites infested with malware. Or, clicking on the link could lead to a fake sign-in page, where the senior’s sensitive information can be easily stolen.

5. Travel Scams

Visiting family is a priority during the holidays, but travel scams are numerous. Scammers send emails and texts offering free flights in an effort to convince the senior to share credit card information. Rather than click on the link, go to the airline’s website to check out the deal.

Fraud does not go away during the holidays, despite the goodwill of the season. When families are wrapped up in their holiday plans, companion caregivers from Assisting Hands Home Care are available to ensure an elderly loved one does not fall prey to a holiday scam.

Our companion care services meet the daily non-medical needs of seniors in the comfort of their home. We perform a range of responsibilities, such as assisting with personal hygiene tasks, preparing balanced meals, shopping for groceries, providing transportation, and giving medication reminders.

Our senior care service providers pride themselves on being pleasant companions to seniors, especially during the holidays. We keep older adults socially active in an effort to prevent the loneliness, isolation, and depression that can occur during this time of year.

Whether your elderly loved one needs quality home care during the holidays or any other time of year, choose Assisting Hands Home Care. Our caregivers are licensed and bonded for your peace of mind. Call us at (214) 760-6944 to schedule an in-home consult today and give your senior loved one the priceless gift of well-being.