WASHINGTON

Most of us, regardless of age, know a blatant scam when we see one: those emails from foreign royalty who have an urgent need to unload millions of dollars, and they’ve chosen us as their beneficiary, if only we would click the link and send them a few thousand dollars first. But what if you received a call from a family member who told you they were in urgent need of money? Would it even occur to you that that could be a scam?

Older adults are a particular target for scammers. They may have significant income or assets that scammers would love to get their hands on, they may need money themselves and therefore be more likely to act on a scammy offer, and they may be less able to discern when something is a scam, for a host of reasons.

“Spot, Stop, and Avoid Fraud” was the topic of the first session in the Stay Independent series offered at no charge through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach for adults 60-plus. A dozen seniors turned out the program on Jan. 4 at United Presbyterian Home in Washington.

Hailey Burgher, a human sciences specialist, led this session, which focused specifically on scams targeting seniors that are common in Iowa.

“The goal is to become more aware and be ready to prevent the theft of money or property or belongings,” she said at the start of the session. Burgher then explained what a scam is: “dishonest, illegal schemes that are meant to mislead or deceive us. They’re intended to result in financial or personal gain for the scammer. It can be carried out by mail, computer, phone, sometimes in person or through the radio or the TV. And they’ve become really creative and sophisticated.”

She then shared some sobering statistics: 80% of suspicious activity reported by financial institutions involved a monetary loss to older adults or the financial institution. Older adults aged 70-79 lost on average $43,000, and when they knew the scammer, it was closer to $50,000. And it is suspected that fraud involving seniors is underreported.

There are several reasons why older adults may be reluctant to admit they’ve been scammed, Burgher explained, but one in particular stands out: a family member or caregiver that a senior depends on may be the scammer. If the senior reports it, they might fear not being believed or being retaliated against. They may also be in denial.

“There are over 50 million Americans aged 62 and older, and older Americans are at greater risk than the general population. Elder financial fraud is actually the most common form of elder abuse,” Burgher said.

Older folks hate to be rude, Burgher said, and they grew up during different times and as a result are more trusting. They may not have much experience dealing with their own finances, as a spouse or life partner may have handled that for them in the past. They may also be dealing with complex emotions or experiencing some cognitive decline, and thus are less equipped to spot a scam. These conditions make them more vulnerable.

However, there is much seniors can do to protect themselves against the three most common types of scams in Iowa, which are imposter scams, identity theft, and telephone fraud.

In the case of imposter scams, which include those where someone contacts you pretending to be someone they are not – for example, a grandchild – Burgher advises that you take your time and check to be sure the person is legitimate. People may sound like those you know, thanks to AI, and calls may even come from phone numbers you recognize. Hang up and call them back to verify, or check with others who know them to confirm your grandson really does need bail money, for example. Scammers are often in a hurry, but you don’t need to be.

To protect your identity, shred documents that have identifying information on them, such as your social security, credit card, and Medicare numbers. Always read your monthly bank statements, use strong passwords online, and store important documents in a locked safe. Check your credit report once a year at annualcreditreport.com.

Regarding telephone fraud, don’t pick up calls when you don’t recognize the number. Only give out personal information when you make the call. Get on the Do Not Call Registry by visiting donotcall.gov or calling 888-382-1222 to reduce the number of calls you receive.

Lots of useful information was shared during the session, and the folks who attended asked questions and shared stories about experiences they had with scammers and those that made them wary. Burgher distributed handouts filled with guidance and resources, in addition to a magnet for the Iowa Concern Hotline, which provides free, confidential help with financial, legal, and mental health concerns. Call or text 888-447-1985 all days and hours if you need assitance.

The remaining sessions in the Stay Independent series are “Thriving in Place” on Feb. 1; “Cooking for One or Two” on Feb. 8; “Final Arrangements” on March 7, and “Exercise Your Independence” on March 14. All sessions are held from 10-11 a.m. at United Presbyterian Home, 1203 E Washington St., Washington, and are free of charge. Contact Andy Miller at 319-653-4811 or andrewm4@iastate.edu for more information.