Question: I’m trying to look after my mom who lives a few states away and is staying in the home. She’s spent a lot more time on social media recently, and I’m worried she’s going to fall victim to one of those online scams—potentially one of those romantic scams that target lonely older women. What can I do from here to help protect her?
Answer: Your mom is lucky to have you looking out for her. It certainly can be a challenge to protect her from a distance. However, there are several things you can do – even a few states away – to reduce the risk that she’ll become a victim of scams.
Keep in mind as you take the following steps that you need to do so out of love and respect for your mom. Don’t insinuate that she’s putting herself at risk or say anything to put her on the defensive, which could lead her to keep information from you if she does become a victim. Instead, you could simply let her know you’re sharing tips and strategies that have helped you avoid scams.
Alert your parent to scam red flags
Scams tend to have telltale signs. So, if you alert your mom to scam red flags – such as requests to wire money, buy gift cards to make payments, or share personal information – it will make it easier for her to spot a con. Here’s a list of scam red flags you can send to your mom, or print it out to hang up by her phone and computer if you visit her.
If you’re particularly concerned about romance scams, tell your mom there are plenty of con…
