Unfortunately, in this modern age there are lots of scams to be aware of which can have devastating effects on the victim and their family. While the majority of scams target people of all ages and income levels, older people can be more likely to trust fraudsters who say they are somebody they’re not.
The best way to avoid scammers is to protect yourself from getting caught out. This article offers some top tips for avoiding a scam, which are useful to pass onto parents, work colleagues and anybody else you believe could be vulnerable to being tricked by criminals.
Additionally you can help elderly relatives and friends by informing them of the latest scams and telling them to be weary of anybody they don’t know calling up, sending emails or knocking on the door.
Here are some general guidelines for protecting yourself from scammers.
- Don’t be pushed into an instant decision
A salesperson wants to make a sale right now, but they should also respect your decision when you say you want to get some advice first. Write down details of any deal you are offered, and consult others before signing up to anything. Ask family members or friends if they have heard of the company, research them online or get independent professional financial advice before deciding to hand over your bank details.
- Install anti-virus software
It’s important to protect your computer or tablet with anti-virus software which can stop online threats. However you should always be aware of suspicious looking emails and never click on a link if you don’t know who sent it.
- Join TPS
The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is a free service which should stop any unsolicited calls to your home phone and mobile phone number. Marketing calls and calls from charities should be blocked, as well as any scammers looking for victims to ring. If you do receive any sales or marketing calls you can report them.
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