Elder Fraud on the Rise Pt. 2: Digital Scams

In this episode of The Herbein Conversation's Fraud Fighters series, host Debbi Fetter, Partner and Managing Director, is joined by Julie Mixtacki, Senior Manager and returning guest from our earlier episode on elder fraud.  This time, they discuss the growing threat of digital scams targeting older adults, and explore additional methods fraudsters use to exploit emotional vulnerability, isolation, and lack of tech familiarity to deceive older adults. Tune in for practical tips to protect your loved ones from phishing, tech support scams, and more.

Debbi S. Fetter: Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of the Herbein Conversation Podcast where we dive into some of the most pressing issues. I'm Debbi Fetter, Partner and Managing Director of our firm's Risk Management practice and host of the Herbein Fraud Fighters podcast series, your go-to podcast for the latest in fraud and cybersecurity tips and trends.

Today, we're focusing on an especially vulnerable group, America's seniors. Joining us again is Julie Mixtacki, a Senior Manager in our Risk Management practice who specializes in suspicious activity, detection and protection. Welcome back Julie.

Julie J. Mixtacki: Thank you for having me. It's great to be back to discuss these important topics aimed at some of our most vulnerable family and friends.

Debbi S. Fetter: Awesome! So, Julie, let's dive right into this critical topic to start. Why are seniors particularly vulnerable to digital threats?

Julie J. Mixtacki: Well, seniors are often targeted because they may not be as familiar with digital technology as younger generations. They might not recognize the signs of a scam or know how to protect their personal information online. They may be more naive to a scam. As we age, we think more from the heart and most of these scams also play on a person's emotions.

Additionally, seniors are more likely to have substantial savings, making them attractive targets for fraudsters. And lastly, many seniors live on their own, which isolates them from family members who aren’t physically available to answer questions when something technological doesn't make sense, or to even overhear a phone call with a third party that doesn't seem above board.

Debbi S. Fetter: Good points. What are some common types of digital threats that seniors may face?

Julie J. Mixtacki: There are several types of digital threats that seniors commonly encounter. These include phishing emails where scammers try to trick individuals into providing personal information via clicking on a link.

There are also tech support scams where fraudsters pose as legitimate tech support agents and gain personal information in that manner, and online shopping scams where fake websites are set up to steal credit card information.

Debbi S. Fetter: I've certainly heard my own family talk about receiving tech support and shopping scam emails or text messages. It's truly alarming. For our audience,
can you give us an example of a common phishing scam targeted at our elderly populations?

Julie J. Mixtacki: Certainly, a common phishing scam might involve an e-mail that appears to be from a trusted source like a bank or a well known company. This e-mail will often contain a link that directs the recipient to a fake website designed to look like legitimate one. Once there, the individual is asked to enter personal information such as their social security number or bank account details, and once a scammer has that personal information, they can use it on legitimate sites to obtain goods or services, or even loans without the elder's immediate knowledge.

Debbi S. Fetter: That's frightening stuff and can happen in the blink of an eye. Or should I say a click of a mouse? Julie, what steps can seniors take to protect themselves from these types of scams?

Julie J. Mixtacki: There are several steps seniors can take to protect themselves. First, they should be cautious about unsolicited emails and avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. It's also important to use strong, unique passwords for different accounts and enable multi factor authentication whenever possible.

Additionally, seniors should keep their software and antivirus programs up to date to protect against malware, and if in doubt, call a trusted friend or relative to determine the legitimacy of the links. Family members can also be proactive to help their elderly family members with these steps by checking in, asking the right questions, and letting their elders know that they're available for questions and help.

Debbi S. Fetter: That's great advice. I would be remised if I didn't remind our listeners to listen to our earlier podcast recording on e-mail compromise, which includes greater detail on how to stay safe from a phishing attempt.

Now let's dive into one of the other common scams. What about tech support scams? How can seniors recognize them and avoid them?

Julie J. Mixtacki: Tech support scams often start with a phone call or a pop-up message claiming that there's a problem with the individual's computer. The scammer then asks for remote access to the computer or requests payment for unnecessary services.

To avoid these scams, seniors should remember that legitimate tech company will not contact them out of the blue to fix a problem if they receive such a call or message, they should hang up or close the pop up and contact the company directly using a verified phone number or website.

Debbi S. Fetter: It's clear that education is key, and if in doubt, don't click or disclose information. Are there any resources available to help seniors learn more about digital safety?

Julie J. Mixtacki: Absolutely. Organizations like AARP, or Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), offer programs and workshops specifically designed to help seniors navigate the digital world safely. These programs cover topics like recognizing scams, protecting personal information, and using technology confidently.

Debbi S. Fetter: That's wonderful to hear. It certainly takes a village working together to prevent the likelihood of the scammer's success. Before we wrap up, do you have any final tips for senior listeners?

Julie J. Mixtacki: Yes, I do. Stay informed and stay vigilant. Scammers are always coming up with new tactics, so it's important to keep learning about the latest threats. Don't be afraid to ask for help from trusted family members or friends if something seems suspicious. If you don't recognize the phone number, let it go to voicemail. And remember, it's OK to take your time and verify the legitimacy of any request for personal information.

Debbi S. Fetter: From personal experience, I would tell our listeners to never be ashamed of clicking on a link and reaching out for help. We all do it, and the sooner an expert can help to start fixing and shutting down the scam, the less impact there is financially and emotionally.

Thank you so much Julie for sharing your expertise with us today. It's been incredibly informative.

Julie J. Mixtacki: Thank you for having me. It's been a pleasure.

Debbi S. Fetter: And thank you to our listeners for tuning in to this episode of Herbein Fraud Fighters.

We hope we've given you some beneficial tools for your fraud toolboxes. Stay informed, stay vigilant and let's work together to combat elder abuse. Should you need assistance implementing some of the detection strategies we discussed today to better protect your elder clients, families, or friends, or just want to talk through some of your fraud concerns, please reach out to our Risk Management team.

If you've enjoyed this episode, I'd like to encourage our audience to listen to our Herbein Conversation Fraud Fighter series, which is available on our website, herbein.com or Spotify or Apple podcast.

Stay tuned for future topics where we dive deeper into fraud that affects us each and every day. Thank you again for tuning in, and remember, keep up the fight and see you next time fraud fighters!

If you have questions or concerns about fraud risks—whether for yourself, a loved one, or your organization—our Risk Management team is here to help. Contact us today to start a conversation and learn how we can support your fraud prevention efforts.