Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Scammers don’t just succeed because their stories are convincing; they succeed because they push us into making common behavioral mistakes. Understanding these pitfalls is crucial for building a strong defense against elder fraud.
Mistake 1: Acting Too Quickly Under Pressure
The single most powerful weapon in a scammer’s arsenal is urgency. They create a “now or never” situation to short-circuit your critical thinking. Whether it’s the fear of a loved one being in jail, the threat of your Social Security benefits being cut off, or the excitement of a limited-time offer, they want you to act on pure emotion.
How to Avoid It: The “Pause” Button. Your best defense is to simply stop. No matter how urgent or threatening the situation seems, give yourself permission to pause. A legitimate organization will not pressure you into making an immediate decision. Take a deep breath and tell the person, “I need to think about this” or “I need to verify this information with a family member.” This simple act of pausing gives you time to think clearly and spot the inconsistencies in their story.
Mistake 2: Trusting Unsolicited Contact
We are often raised to be polite and trusting, especially when someone claims to be from an official organization. Scammers exploit this by initiating contact and presenting themselves as authorities. They spoof caller IDs to look like your bank or a government agency, making their claims seem legitimate.
How to Avoid It: The “Verify Independently” Rule. Never trust unsolicited contact as your sole source of information. If you receive a call, text, or email from your bank, the IRS, or any other company asking for information or demanding action, hang up or delete the message. Do not call back the number they provide or click on any links. Instead, find the organization’s official phone number or website yourself (from a bank statement, the phone book, or a trusted search engine) and contact them directly to ask if there is a real issue.
Mistake 3: Paying with Unconventional Methods
A legitimate business or government agency has standard, traceable ways of accepting payments, such as credit cards or official payment portals. Scammers, on the other hand, want untraceable money. This is why they demand payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency (like Bitcoin), or, most commonly, gift cards.
How to Avoid It: The “Payment Method” Red Flag Test. This is one of the clearest signs of a scam. If anyone—a supposed government agent, a tech support person, a prize promoter—instructs you to go to a store, buy gift cards (like from Amazon, Google Play, or Apple), and read them the numbers on the back, it is 100% a scam. Gift cards are for gifts, not for paying debts or fees. End the conversation immediately.
Mistake 4: Taking Caller ID at Face Value
Many people believe that if their phone’s caller ID displays the name of a bank or a government agency, the call must be legitimate. However, as we’ve learned, technology makes it incredibly easy for scammers to “spoof” any number they want. They can make a call from a boiler room overseas appear to be coming from your local police department or even from your own phone number.
How to Avoid It: Treat Caller ID with Skepticism. Think of caller ID as a suggestion, not a fact. A better strategy is to let any call from an unknown or unexpected number go to your voicemail. If the call is legitimate and important, the person will leave a message with verifiable contact information. This puts you in control of when and how you respond.
Mistake 5: Feeling Too Embarrassed to Report It
One of the most tragic aspects of elder fraud is that it often goes unreported. Victims may feel ashamed, embarrassed, or foolish for having fallen for a scam. They worry about what their family will think or fear they might lose their financial independence. This silence is exactly what scammers count on; it allows them to continue their crimes without consequence.
How to Avoid It: Understand that You Are a Victim, Not a Fool. These criminals are professionals who deceive people from all walks of life every single day. There is no shame in being targeted by a sophisticated criminal operation. Reporting the scam is an act of strength. It is the most important step you can take for your own legal protection and to help law enforcement prevent others from becoming victims. Reporting is a crucial part of the solution.
