Need to vent over scams and taking advantage of the vulnerable

My wife falls for all of them. She even gets “personal” messages from her favorite sports stars. So far she brings them to me for validation.

@wctdoc1943 I understand completely, thankfully my husband doesn’t have the ability to buy things over the internet and comes to me first. Thanks for your response

@akela09, venting allowed. Sometimes it just helps to vent. These older discussions may offer some tips:
- Phone Scam Worries https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/phone-scam-worries/
- How do you protect from phishing emails, hoaxes and other scams?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/iphones-ipads-and-other-scams/
- Facebook Safety Issue https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/facebook-safety-issue/

Reviewing these past discussions underlines how crafty and clever scam artists are. With AI (artifical intelligence) keeping the vulnerable safe gets harder and harder.

I was just reading this article today that can help us by paying attention to our emotions:
- Anatomy of a fraud: How scammers use our emotions against us https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/fraud-manipulation-how-to-protect-yourself-9.7224976

But what safety measures can we put in place for people who don't have the cognitive ability to recognize the manipulation?

@colleenyoung thank you, very helpful information

Previously there has been some discussions about scams/scamming.A friend introduced me to the Jeff Rossen resport. I did not know about him prior. I learned some things I did not know and glad I do now.May the force be with us against scammers.

Hi, @kmliste - are you talking about scams specifically targeting those with early dementia/mild cognitive impairment? Or another, broader population?

@lisalucier I thought I posted with the MCI group. Several caregivers stated their loved ones with MCI are being scammed. I directed this (I thought ) caregivers to those with MCI.

Such a fine line to walk when our loved ones are slowly losing their discernment and when their vulnerability rises over time. We want to honour them, to retain their dignity, and to encourage every bit of autonomy they can muster, but the dangers of them losing valuable security and finances are real. The lizard-brains out there don't give a fig about you, them, or any harm they may do. They just want work, and the work they need is in the scam call centers overseas. Most of them, anyway. Some are done by your next door neighbours.

@kmliste, you're right. I moved your question to the discussion in the Caregivers: Dementia support group (for people for caring for someone living with MCI and all other types of dementia).

See this discussion:
- Need to vent over scams and taking advantage of the vulnerable https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/need-to-vent-over-scams-and-taking-advantage-of-the-vulnerable/

It is so helpful to be able to find consumer reports that expose scams. Scammers are getting craftier all the time.

What steps do you take to protect yourself and your loved one?

@colleenyoung
Understood.
I sometimes find it difficult to navigate this site. I’ve read the information provided but still find it sometimes difficult.