Would you know what bills your parents pay each month? What bank they use? What apps they’re signed up for—or how often they check their accounts?
Most of us don’t. And unless you’re helping with their finances already, it probably hasn’t crossed your mind. But here’s the hard truth: by the time you need to know, it might be too late.
Fraud targeting older adults is getting more sophisticated and more personal. Scammers aren’t just sending fake emails anymore. They’re calling. Texting. Spoofing phone numbers. Even mimicking voices using AI.
I recently heard a story about an elderly woman who got a call from someone claiming to be her grandson. He was in trouble, crying and said he needed bail money, fast. She wired thousands before she realized it wasn’t him.
Imagine how she felt. Not just about the money but about being tricked, and not telling anyone until it was too late. That’s the part we don’t talk about enough: how shame and silence make these scams even more devastating.
So what can we do?
It starts with one simple thing: a conversation. Sit down with your parents or older relatives. Ask them how they manage their money. What accounts they use. Whether they’d consider adding you as a second set of eyes not to take control, but to stay ahead of anything suspicious.
Elder Fraud Prevention Tips:
• Don’t answer calls or texts from unknown numbers. Let them go to voicemail.
• Never give out personal info (Social Security number, bank info, Medicare number) over the phone even if the caller says they’re from a government agency.
• Enable two-factor authentication on important accounts.
• Check bank and credit card statements regularly. Better yet, look at them together once in a while.
• Don’t click links in texts or emails. Go straight to the official website or call the organizations direct line.
• Keep a running list of bills and subscriptions. This makes it easier to spot anything strange.
It’s not always an easy conversation to have. Money and privacy can be sensitive topics especially between generations. But it’s not about control. It’s about protection and helping the people who’ve spent their lives looking out for you.
At CCFBank, we offer tools like account alerts and transaction monitoring that can add an extra layer of security and peace of mind.
These scammers are organized. They know how to push buttons with fear, urgency, and love. But we can be organized, too. By being proactive and staying informed, we can protect the people who’ve spent their lives looking out for us. And it all starts with one honest conversation.
