Monday, 09 December 2019

Talking to Your Aging Parents about Fraud: A Guide

Fraud is at the highest and most aggressive point that it has ever been at and it is our elderly parents, who are not quite as tech-savvy as the rest of us, who are most at risk of falling victim. This is especially so in the last few months of the year when they may be embracing the joys of shopping for Christmas presents online and enthusiastically responding to ‘deals' that they see on social media. 

So, how can you talk to them about the dangers of fraud and how to avoid it without it coming across as you not trusting their judgement? Here are some tips in terms of broaching the subject with tact and sensitivity. 

Make them aware of how society has changed 

Seniors are easy targets for scammers because they have a false sense of security stemming from a mind-set that no longer has a place in our world. Back in their day, a solid handshake between business partners was probably as binding as a contract. People used to be good for their word, and if you lent a person money, you were almost guaranteed to get it back, with interest. Nowadays, every second person is looking for a way in which to manipulate you or get hold of easy money at your expense. Try your best to make your parents aware of this fact and explain that you are concerned not because you don’t trust their judgement, but because you know just how callous fraudsters can be. 

Show them various stories about scams 

Sometimes, they need to see it for themselves in order to believe it! Perhaps when they do, they will be more open to taking your advice in the future. 

Share helpful resources 

They may be more willing to learn about fraud protection through objective resources, such as online articles, than from you. Parents can be extremely stubborn when it comes to holding on to their independence, especially if they already require the assistance of a live-in carer to perform other daily tasks. 

Communicate with care 

It can be tempting to dictate, especially seeing as though you know a lot more about the subject than your parents do. However, you will need to avoid this tone of voice as it is likely to make them extra defensive as a result. Simply engage them in conversation about fraud without blatantly trying to tell them what (and what not) to do. 

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