One of the hidden negative outcomes of the pandemic has been an uptick in scam attempts perpetrated against senior citizens.
According to AARP data, people over the age of 60 are significantly more likely to fall for tech scams than members of younger generations.
Molly Davies, the Executive Vice President of WISE & Healthy Aging, a Santa Monica senior advocacy nonprofit, said local residents have reported being scammed via telephone, text, social media, email and snail mail.
“There’s different ways that different scammers will try and reach out to people that they’re trying to steal money from,” Davies said. With tax season upon us, she said IRS scams are on the rise — but the IRS will never call you, Davies cautioned.
A recent panel hosted by State Senator Ben Allen provided tips for older community members to become aware of potential scams and help protect themselves.
“According to the AARP, people over the age of 60 are five times more likely to fall for tech scams,” Allen said at the start of the seminar, held virtually via Zoom. “On average, they’ll lose more money than younger victims of scamming, with those over the age of 80 losing more than four times the median losses of those in their 20s and 30s — even two to three times higher than other age groups.”
Allen’s panel included Kevin Durawa of the Contractors State License Board, Jackie Wiley of the Department of Financial Protection & Innovation, and Zuleimy Gonzalez of the California…
