As fraud targeting seniors continues to grow in Houston, local residents can take immediate action to protect their loved ones. According to KPRC 2’s investigative report, impersonation fraud remains a significant threat, with scammers often posing as bank representatives or Medicare officials.
Protective Measures
To help safeguard seniors, experts recommend several key strategies:
- Set up bank alerts: Receive notifications for transactions exceeding a certain amount to detect unauthorized activity early.
- Minimize check usage: When checks are necessary, verify the cashed check image online to ensure accuracy.
- Build a bank relationship: Establish a personal connection with bank staff to have a trusted point of contact for suspicious activity verification.
Chase Community Manager Ian Okoli emphasizes the importance of having a personal contact at your bank: “Have somebody at your local institution that you know by face and name that you can pick up the phone and call.” This relationship can help verify the legitimacy of unexpected calls.
Additional Protection Steps
Seniors can further protect themselves by:
- Placing fraud alerts through major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion)
- Including family members in these alerts to ensure everyone is informed
Bessie Hartford, a senior specialist at the J.W. Peavy Senior Health and Wellness Center, stresses vigilance: “No matter how much I warn seniors to be careful of fraud, I still see it happening.” Hartford notes that seniors often become victims because they want to help others and engage with scam callers.
Resources for Victims
For those who suspect they’ve fallen victim to identity theft, IdentityTheft.gov provides comprehensive recovery guidance, including checklists and sample letters to help navigate the process.
By taking these proactive steps and maintaining awareness, Houston residents can significantly reduce the risk of their senior family members falling prey to fraud and financial exploitation.
