We are social creatures. We need contact with others. We also want to feel a sense of purpose. Often as we age, we lose our social contacts, and we may have also lost purpose. Due to COVID, both may have been further affected.
We are isolated or practicing social distancing and may not be able to check on our families as closely as we would like. Many older adults who live in rural areas are isolated, and the pandemic has deepened their sense of loneliness. The effects of isolation are psychological as well as physical.
Scammers love people who are isolated for a few obvious reasons.
- Those who are isolated may not have social supports to help protect them.
- Those who live alone may also have issues that cause memory loss or impaired executive function meaning they may not be making wise decisions.
- Another consideration – and a huge factor – is loneliness. This pandemic has taught many of us how important social contact is. Isolation increases depression, affects sleep quality, accelerates cognitive decline, and impairs immunity and there are other adverse effects. That’s pre-pandemic.
You can see how those who live alone and have limited social outlets are prone to the rip offs “sold” by scammers. They will prey on our fears or our loneliness. They are seeking access to our personal information, or they may be selling a useless product (miracle cures, for example). These people know how the business works…and it IS a business.
A lot of older adults spend a lot of time with email contacts. Scams are in our In-box too. Did you get a message from your pastor asking for gift cards for a needy family only to find out that your pastor didn’t send the email? Has your account at Wells Fargo (or other) been compromised – click here?
Our cells phones are connected to us all the time. Scammers can spoof phone numbers. You think it’s a call from a friend but it’s a scammer. You may also get a call saying your grandchild has been hospitalized with COVID and needs money. Or it may be a threatening call saying you owe money for utilities or rent or taxes or other con to get money or information.
A recent report on local news was about scammers calling and representing themselves as utility employees threatening utility shut offs. Do not give credit card information or provide gift cards. Threats may come through email also. Do not click on links. Call your utility company.
As the pandemic ramps up, we are more tired, more alone, more afraid, more vulnerable. Be vigilant and be aware that the scammers are out there! Check in via phone or Zoom with your older relatives and neighbors.
We’re all in this together. Stay connected. Stay safe.
