yurayurateikokuさんの おぼえた日記 - 2022年7月9日(土)

Beware of Scams (4)

Ah, yes. Scams by callers posing as grandchildren who need money are quite common in Japan. These slimy fraudsters steal hundreds of millions of dollars from Japan’s senior citizens every year.
It’s the same story in many other countries. The specific techniques used by these con artists are always changing, but the result is the same: Many older people end up losing tons of money-sometimes their entire life savings.
I’ve told my parents not to interact with suspicious callers asking them to verify their bank account or debit card numbers. Hang up right away, I tell them.
The isolation many seniors have experienced during the pandemic has made the problem worse. Technology has helped them stay connected, but it also opens the door to scammers.
I’ve warned my mom and dad not to say anything if someone starts a call by asking, “Can you hear me?” This is a common way for scammers to record you saying “yes.” They can then doctor your “yes” response to use as proof that you agreed to a purchase or credit card charge.
Wow-that is truly scary.
It’s not just older folks who are targeted by scammers-young people get conned too. The internet has made that easier.
So how can we prevent these scammers from ripping people off?