1. What’s the best way to protect an older relative?
Answer: Regular, judgment-free conversations about scams. Open conversations help them spot scams and tell you about them.
2. A “government agent” demands payment by gift card. That’s:
Answer: A scam. Government agencies don’t take gift cards.
3. They’ve won a lottery abroad they never entered. That’s:
Answer: A scam. You can’t win a lottery you didn’t enter.
4. A caller offers free medical equipment for their insurance number. That’s:
Answer: A scam. Insurance numbers are used for identity and billing fraud.
5. True or myth: shame stops many victims from reporting.
Answer: True. Many victims never report. Kindness makes it easier to come forward.
6. A doorstep trader says the roof needs urgent repair today. They should:
Answer: Get independent quotes first. Pressure to decide on the spot is a warning sign.
7. A useful tool for older relatives:
Answer: Call screening and blocking unknown numbers. Screening reduces exposure to scam calls.
8. An inheritance from an unknown relative abroad requires a fee. That’s:
Answer: A scam. Inheritance scams ask for fees that never end.
9. They’ve been scammed. What should you say first?
Answer: “It’s not your fault — let’s act quickly.”. Blame makes people hide future scams.
10. Some banks let customers name a trusted contact. That helps by:
Answer: Giving the bank someone to call if something seems wrong. A trusted contact gets a call — not control of the money.