In an era where technology has seamlessly woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives, seniors find themselves navigating an increasingly complex digital landscape. While the digital age has brought convenience and connectivity, it has also given rise to a new breed of scams that specifically target the elderly. In this article, we shine a spotlight on a range of scams that seniors should be acutely aware of, as they navigate their way through online and offline interactions.
As we unravel these scams, our aim is to empower seniors with the knowledge they need to safeguard their finances, privacy, and overall well-being in this digital age.
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Here are six latest scams you must watch out for in 2023.
- Customer care number
Your fridge/TV/Washing machine conks off, and you don’t have their contact number. It is easy to find everything on Google. So, your search for the customer care number of a particular brand like Samsung, IFB, Sony, etc. Voila, you found the number, call them, and thankfully, they attend the call and immediately plan to help you out. You follow their instructions to provide details, download an app, etc., and soon, you may find that your bank account lost some money. In one case, a Noida-based senior citizen couple lost 8.24 lakhs trying to get their IFB dishwasher repaired!
Newspaper reports say they were asked to download an app and feed some details. They followed the instructions, leading to the fraudsters scamming the money. The incident is as recent as Feb 2023, and the number they called now appears for another brand if you search. That is the danger lurking out there. In another incident, an ex-Army major from Delhi lost Rs. 34,000 after he called a customer care number of a courier agency through which he was expecting his new debit card. Another case was a woman trying to recharge her DTH through online customer care. That is the danger lurking out there.
What you can do: If you search for customer care numbers online, double verify these numbers by going through official websites. Never download any app they suggest or share sensitive or financial information, especially OTP. Refrain from clicking on any links shared by them without doing due diligence. Typically, authentic customer care numbers will take down the problem, give you a complaint ID and ask for a time to send their representative to check and repair. A better way would be to find local authorised dealers who do repairs and save these numbers for most essential appliances so that you never have to search for such numbers.
- AI-based voice scams
How likely are you to send money to a loved one who is in distress? Well, if you are among the 83% of Indian victims who fell to the AI-based voice scam, you probably lost close to Rs.50000 or more! According to a McAfee report, India is topping the list of people who have lost money to AI-based voice scams. 69% of Indians have admitted they cannot differentiate between the original voice of their loved ones and that of the faked ones by AI. In the McAfee survey, 66% of Indians admitted they would respond to a voice message from a loved one (parent, spouse, children, sibling, etc.) requesting help without much thought. That makes it easier for scamsters!
What you can do: Be cautious about someone calling to inform you about your loved ones in distress or claiming to be them. Do not panic and verify by talking to them, their colleagues, or other family members before sharing sensitive information or sending money as requested. It is panic they take advantage of. You could also try making a video call to their number to establish authenticity. Scamsters won’t be able to attend the call.
- Rental scams
If you have recently put up an Ad for a house being available for rent on any of the popular rental sites, there is a high chance you will get a scam call. Here is one of the modus operandi that has fooled many house owners, especially senior citizens. You get a call from someone claiming to be from the Army, BSF, etc. Indians have a soft corner and respect for the defence forces and implicitly trust such people. The person claims he has been recently transferred and needs to shift immediately. He agrees to your suggested rent and advance. He then tells you his senior officer will call and transfer the advance amount to block the house. This senior officer would share a link on the GPay or some financial app saying this is a defence procedure to send money. When you click this link, they connect to your bank account, and you lose money.
What you can do: If you are putting properties for rent, be cautious about calls from people who don’t want to see the property, won’t bargain about the rent or advance, etc. It is best to request the people to meet in person, verify authenticity, and only then proceed.
- Selling frauds
Like the above rental fraud, if you have put up any item for sale on online sites, a similar modus operandi is used to fraud you. The person claims to like the item you have put up for sale. The person will then convince you to scan a QR code to receive money or scam you into sharing some details which they use to scam money from your account.
What you can do: Verify the authenticity of people posing as buyers. Never scan any QR codes shared by unknown people to receive money. Insist on closing the deal by meeting in person and verifying identity.
General tips: Never share bank details, OTP, passwords, etc., with anyone. If you feel any of your accounts are compromised, immediately inform authorities and change passwords. If you realise you have become a victim of cybercrime, follow these steps:
- Call national helpline number 1930 or to 112.
- Report to the nearest police station
- Call 0121-4846100- local police helpline number only for Noida and Greater Noida residents.
- Out-of-stock item scam
Scammers frequently post phone adverts on social media platforms for products at prices that seem too good to be true, collect your order and payment information, and then inform you that the item is currently unavailable. They assure you that your refund would soon be processed, but it never does. And nobody at the business can be contacted about it.
- ‘I’ve got your package, where’s your house?’ hoax
Recent package delivery scams include messages and calls supposedly from a delivery person who can’t find your house and who seems professional. Did not place any orders? They can try to persuade you that a gift has been sent. Alternatively, you might get an email asking you to reschedule a delivery or notice a bogus “package delivery attempt” label on your door. Their objective? to get you to click on a link they provide or to merely provide personal information. The malware that is downloaded from that URL will subsequently use your computer to gather passwords and account information.
click here to read about some lesser-known frauds you must know of.
