

How To Protect Your Parents From Fraud
8 snips Feb 25, 2025
Kathy Stokes, Director of fraud prevention programs at AARP, shares her expertise on protecting older adults from fraud. She recounts a chilling scam involving a fake Microsoft employee, illustrating the vulnerability of seniors. Kathy emphasizes the importance of open communication about cyber threats and offers practical strategies for families to educate their loved ones. She encourages involving seniors in fraud prevention discussions to empower them and suggests actionable measures like freezing credit and using AARP's Fraud Watch Network for support.
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May's Father's Near-Miss
- May's father almost lost $4,000 after responding to a pop-up on his new computer.
- The scammers impersonated Microsoft, bank staff, and the county sheriff, using social engineering tactics.
Normalize Scam Conversations
- Talk to your parents about scams regularly.
- Discuss real-world examples to normalize the conversation and reduce shame.
Elders as Part of the Solution
- Older adults are not the problem; they're part of the solution.
- Include them in conversations about fraud to empower them.