5 Essential Tips for Seniors to Avoid Scams

Written by Wena Roeloffze, Real Estate Consultant and Lifestyle Expert. Owner of Realty Club 74, brokered by Coldwell Banker Realty.

In today’s digital age, scams targeting seniors are becoming increasingly common. Scammers are exceedingly convincing, using sophisticated tactics to steal personal information, property and money. However, with the right knowledge, you can protect yourself from falling victim. Real Estate scams are ongoing and increasing in sophistication.

Keep in mind that real estate transactions are public record. this means that information like your deed, mortgage, property price and personal information are listed online and available to scammers. If you looking to sell a property in need of work or a property out-of-state, be aware that some companies take advantage of the situation and may be offering to buy your property for a significantly reduced price. Before accepting an offer, always get in touch with a trusted SRES professional who can help you navigate the sale and make sure your home is sold at market value.

Here are five essential tips to help you stay safe and avoid scams of any kind:

1. Verify the Organization Before Sharing Any Information

Scammers often pretend to represent trusted companies, charities, or even government agencies. Before providing any personal or financial information, always verify the organization. Here’s how you can do that:

- Look up the official phone number or website of the organization. Never use the contact information provided by the caller or in the email. Call the person’s or organization’s number you have on your phone. If you don’t know how to add the numbers, ask a family member to help you.

- If you're unsure, contact the organization directly to confirm that the request is legitimate. In fact, we always recommend you call your trusted resources for confirmation. Nothing can be that urgent.

- Be cautious if you're being rushed or pressured to provide information immediately—this is a common tactic of scammers. Any unexpected prizes or emergencies should be treated with caution.

When you are a client of Realty Club 74, you will be taken through our fraud warnings and we will have a personalized communication system in place to safeguard your information.

2. Avoid Sharing Personal Details Over the Phone or Online

Scammers often ask for personal details like your Social Security number, bank account information, or even Medicare details. It’s important to remember that legitimate companies and government agencies will never ask for sensitive information over the phone, via text, or through email without prior verification. Here are some precautions you can take:

- Never share personal details.

- Avoid sharing information on unfamiliar websites or via unsolicited emails and calls.

- If you're asked for personal information, take a moment to question why they need it and whether it's a legitimate request.

When you are selling or buying a home with Realty Club 74, our in-person consultation is where we will collect only the necessary information to proceed with your requirements. Lucky for us, we don’t need any personal or confidential information. The process of our personal touch and notary services are for your protection.

3. Beware of "Too Good to Be True" Offers

Scammers often lure seniors in with deals and offers that seem too good to be true—because they often are! Whether it's a free vacation, a sweepstakes win, or a heavily discounted product, it’s important to approach such offers with caution:

- Always research the offer or the company making it. Read reviews, search for complaints, and check with the Better Business Bureau.

- If the offer requires you to pay upfront to claim a prize or deal, it's almost certainly a scam.

- Use trusted sources for any purchases, donations, or investments.

Companies offering easy cash offers might also be too good to be true. Realty Club 74 will provide no-obligation cash offers ONLY when the situation will be a good option in the circumstance. We offer more than one solution to our clients and the cash offers are only with reliable companies in unique circumstances.

4. Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Emails and Phone Calls

Unsolicited communication is a major red flag when it comes to scams. Emails, phone calls, or text messages that seem out of the blue should be treated with suspicion, especially if they ask for your personal or financial information. To protect yourself:

- Don’t click on links or download attachments in unsolicited emails—they may contain malware.

- Hang up on unsolicited calls asking for personal details or money. You can always call back through official channels if you think it might be a legitimate request.

- Be wary of “urgent” messages that try to scare or pressure you into immediate action, such as those claiming you owe money or your account has been hacked.

- Most legitimate organizations will offer a variety of safe and traceable payment options and let you decide the best form of payment. They will not demand quick wire transfers, gift cards or mailed cash.

Our clients call us! Realty Club 74 do not make any cold calls or send thousands of emails. Our approach is hands-on and personalized.

5. Secure Your Online Presence

In today's digital world, many scammers operate online, making it crucial to secure your online presence. Seniors are often targeted through email phishing schemes, social media scams, and even fake websites. Here’s how to stay safe online:

- Use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication when available.

- Keep your software, antivirus, and operating systems updated to protect against the latest security threats.

- Avoid sharing too much personal information on social media, as scammers can use it to create convincing fake communications.

- Never give someone who contacts you remote access to your computer or device.

Since most of our clients are using Social Media to stay in touch with their children and grand children, Realty Club 74 does not post or tag any client. Most of our transactions are kept confidential and private.

Bonus Tip

To opt out of marketing calls and easily recognize scams, register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov. Scammer will still use the number, but you can assume that any unknown calls are not legitimate. If you don’t know the number or haven’t yet put a reliable number on your contact list, the person looking for you will leave a voicemail and/or text what the call was all about.

By staying informed and cautious, you can protect yourself from scams and enjoy a safe, worry-free experience both online and offline. Remember, it's always better to take the time to verify and ask questions than to fall victim to a scam. Stay vigilant, and don’t hesitate to seek help from trusted family members or professionals if something feels off.

With these tips, seniors can take practical steps to safeguard their personal information and financial well-being, ensuring peace of mind in an increasingly connected world. If you have any safety tips to share, please comment below. Fill out a form to get in touch with any questions.