Because a familiar voice on the other end of the line may not be what it seems, seniors are advised to stay vigilant against phone scams, especially as scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence to mimic loved ones and target their finances.
A growing problem
Scams targeting seniors have been on the rise both locally and nationwide. In 2023, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported an 11% increase in elder fraud cases, with over 101,000 victims aged 60 or older losing a combined average of $33,915 each.
Locally, Battle Ground has seen a similar surge in fraud reports. Battle Ground Police Chief Dennis Flynn said cases involving scams increased from 34 in October 2023 to 63 in October 2024, an 85.3% jump in just one year, adding seniors are the majority of victims.
Flynn noted that seniors are especially vulnerable to scams as many tend to be trusting and polite and may stay on the line with suspicious callers. Flynn noted that because seniors are embarrassed to admit they fell victim to a scam, many crimes go unreported.
“As much as we showed this increase, in this type of crime, we also know that it’s also grossly underreported,” Flynn said.
To help combat the growing number of scams targeting seniors, the Battle Ground Senior Center hosts local law enforcement and other organizations at their weekly “Lunch and Learn” events. The lunch takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Wednesday. At these events, seniors are warned about trends and red flags to watch for.
Recognizing the red flags
Scammers often use direct phone calls to request personal information. Common tactics include posing as charities soliciting donations or pretending to be care providers offering Medicare benefits in exchange for sensitive data like Social Security numbers.
Laurie Hansen, a local loan officer at Mortgage Express who works with many senior clients, has seen firsthand how common scams can be. She frequently visits the Battle Ground Senior Center to warn seniors about the latest scams and teach them how to identify warning signs.
Hansen emphasized that any caller who asks for money or personal information should be immediately treated with suspicion. No matter who the caller is, legitimate organizations will never ask for money or sensitive information over the phone if they call you unprompted.
“So really the keyword is any time anybody is asking for money, that’s when you need to stop and hang up. Don’t answer an email, don’t answer a text, and find out the information on your own,” Hansen said.
If anything seems suspicious, seniors should hang up and verify the request by calling the organization directly using a trusted phone number. Scammers often use fear tactics, such as claiming to be from the FBI or IRS, and threatening arrest if immediate payment isn’t made. Flynn highlighted this is never the case.
“They use lies, deception, fear, and there’s almost always a short time window [to] make these people feel like if they don’t comply that … they’re gonna have the police show up,” Flynn said.
Another common scam involves fraudsters posing as tech support agents and requesting access to your computer. People should not provide passwords or remote access to their devices. Legitimate tech support companies will never ask for such access unsolicited.
Additionally, fraudsters pose as individuals seeking companionship on dating websites or social media. These scammers often fabricate false stories to elicit money, gifts or personal credit card details. They never fulfill their promises and always have an excuse for why they can’t meet in person or why they need more money. Over time, they manipulate victims into sending more funds, continuing to exploit them until the victim realizes they’ve been scammed.
Flynn said people should never give out money or personal information over the phone, especially when asked to send money through untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. These methods make it difficult for law enforcement to track down the victims.
“That should never be done. Not even avoided, never. We don’t have a lot of “nevers” in life. That’s a never,” Flynn said.
AI-driven scams
A particularly concerning scam gaining traction is the “grandparent scam.” In this scheme, a scammer impersonates a family member — often a grandchild — claiming to be in urgent financial need and requesting money. In the past, scammers would disguise their voices or pose as friends of a family member, but with AI technology now available, scammers can replicate a relative’s voice with alarming accuracy.
“One of the seniors had gotten a phone call that made it sound like it was just her nephew,” Hansen said. “Because of the [scam awareness] classes, she did say ‘I wanna verify this,’ and she made some phone calls and found out that it was a scam.”
Hansen advised that if seniors receive such a call, they should hang up and immediately contact their family directly to verify the situation.
Three golden rules to protect against scams
Both Hansen and Flynn stress three key strategies for seniors to protect themselves from phone scams:
• Slow down and resist pressure: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to get seniors to act quickly. It’s important to take a moment to think critically before responding to any request for money or information.
• Verify independently: If something feels off, call the organization or family member directly using a known and trusted contact number. Don’t rely on the contact information provided by the caller.
• If it feels wrong, hang up: Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t seem right, don’t hesitate to end the conversation.
Taking steps to protect your identity
Another crucial step seniors can take to protect themselves from identity theft is freezing their credit with the three major credit bureaus when credit is not being used. This prevents fraudsters from opening new credit accounts in their name.
Here’s how to do it:
• TransUnion: 888-909-9972
• Experian: 888-397-3742
• Equifax: 800-685-1111
For additional support in dealing with identity theft, the Identity Theft Resource Center offers assistance and can be reached at 888-400-5530 or at identitytheft.gov.
