Shock calls and grandchildren: This is how seniors protect themselves from fraudsters!

Shock calls and grandchildren: This is how seniors protect themselves from fraudsters!

trick fraud is particularly often directed against older people. A latest report by wndn.de how these criminal machinations flourish, especially when seniors live alone or are weakened in terms of health. People who suffer from dementia or other cognitive restrictions are particularly affected. These vulnerable target groups attract fraudsters who skillfully understand to build a relationship with their victims.

According to the State Criminal Police Office Berlin, fraud against seniors can be found a relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. This shows the urgency of the topic. The criminals use different methods to make their victims around their money, with the most common procedures consisting of alarming calls and deception. Telephone fraudsters in particular use psychological tricks to create confusion.

Frequent methods of trick fraud

The most common methods that have been observed in recent years include:

• shock call: The victims are confronted with terrifying scenarios, such as the alleged accident of a relative. The fraudsters often pretend to be police officers or lawyers and demand money for alleged repairs or emergency operations. To caution, citizens should note these steps:
• The police never demand money.
• Check the condition of the relative by calling.
• Do not share information about family or finance on the phone.
• suspicious calls should be reported to the police immediately.
• grandchildren: deceive pretend to be relatives and describe a financial emergency, often with the request for cash. Protection against this fraud offer the following measures:
• don't give money to unknown people.
• clarification of the situation with other family members.
• call back known phone numbers of the relatives.
• view of non -cash profits: fraudsters are a notary or lawyer and announce profits, but an "administrative fee" is to be paid. The following can help:
• profits are only available if you take part in a real competition.
• No payments are required.
• Do not share personal information on the phone.
• ring the doorbell: fraudsters try to get access to the apartment under an excuse. Some previews are common here: criminal officers, craftsmen or employees of pension companies. Security measures are essential:
• Nobody that they don't know, let them in the apartment.
• use door spies or intercom.
• Check the identity of the person at the responsible authority.

If questions and uncertainties related to trick fraud, the police should always be contacted. These preventive measures are crucial to protect older people from the sophisticated tricks of the fraudsters.

preventive measures and education

The Federal Ministry of Family, Seniors, Women and Youth has a helpful brochure with the title "A guess who is?" published. In it, various deception are described and indications of how seniors can protect themselves from fraudsters on the phone and on the front door.