Seniors In Their Sights

Although people of all ages are solicited by scammers, perpetrators of Advance Fee fraud are particularly keen on fleecing the elderly.

Though obvious now, I first found this notion ridiculous because, having seen "everything under the sun," senior citizens tend to be wiser than the rest of us.

Upon further reflection, however, targeting elders makes sense because, as a group, they possess more potential vulnerabilities than other demographics. Specifically:

• Declining mental capacity - they sometimes do not reason as well, or think as critically as they used to.
• Respect for authority - unlike Baby Boomers and their successors, older victims are less likely to question authority figures, particularly if they claim to represent government agencies such as the FBI, IRS, or Department of Homeland Security.
• Innocence - having come up in a less cynical age, the elderly are inclined to be more trusting of others than the rest of us.
• Ignorance - lack of awareness, both of the vast array of fraudulent schemes, and the technologies (such as as Caller ID spoofing) criminals use to execute them.
• Loneliness and Depression - isolation can make elders susceptible to scheming flatterers who call them regularly, treat them with respect, and otherwise kill them with kindness.
  
• Financial insecurity - many senior citizens live on a fixed income and have few funds to spare. Afraid of outliving their money, some are tempted seek a big payoff to secure their financial future. 
• Benevolence - elders of modest means may also wish they had more money to help family members or organizations and causes close to their heart. Wanting to do good for others, these older adults are ripe for crooks bent on exploiting their generosity.
  
• Boredom - whether they live in an empty nest or a care facility, many seniors lack stimulation and will take excitement wherever they can find it, particularly if there is an element of chance involved. If you don't believe me, go to the nearest grocery or convenience store and watch them gobble up lottery tickets.

While there is no way of knowing for sure, I suspect that some or all of these weaknesses were exploited by the bastards that brainwashed my Dad, who, as a former salesman, used to be nobody's fool.