As a member of the family contributing to WIRED, I often serve as technical support. When my relative wants to know which cell phone to buy or why he doesn't have Wi-Fi in the back room, he asks me. Recently, an elderly family member found herself being charged more than twice what she was paying each month for internet service that was 30 times slower. After researching, we found that they were paying far more for mobile data. The same carrier was charging significantly more than me, even though I was getting 4 times as much data as he was. My relatives had no idea they were getting a bad deal. And I was reluctant to call because of a previous bad experience and because I can't hear well on the phone.
For most people, finding the best deal means navigating a minefield of attractive introductory offers and temptations. But choosing to do nothing often means paying more. People who lack digital skills or the willpower to shop will be fooled. It may sound like Jimmy Stewart, but “Whatever happened to basic decency?” Overselling is commonplace, loyalty is punished rather than rewarded, and the elderly and vulnerable People are bearing the brunt of this cynical exploitation. If your relatives are lucky enough to have you, they can help by:
easily changed
I remembered the hardships of my late grandfather. The electricity company knocked on his door and took advantage of his loneliness to persuade him to change suppliers every few weeks. He had no idea that we were charging early termination fees each time. This practice was such a big problem in the UK that government regulators had to step in and introduce a mandatory cooling-off period. Sadly, predatory marketing calls targeting seniors remain a major scourge.
I checked with other family members about this issue and found out that a frail relative who is currently undergoing cancer treatment was charged a small amount for a TV package (including very expensive live sports) that he never used. I found out that She tried to cancel multiple times over the phone, but all attempts were refused. The FTC is currently fighting to make it easier to cancel subscriptions, but cable companies are resisting.
Another relative called me in a panic because the salesperson at a big box store was being pushy about a particular overpriced laptop. Contrary to what they told him, it was not suitable for his needs at all.it is in front They tried to sell him with an extended warranty that was useless.
It's worth mentioning that all of the relatives I spoke to said they had been scammed in person, over the phone, and even by regular mail. Their inboxes were full of phishing emails. It is reported that more than $8 billion is stolen from people over the age of 60 each year in the United States alone. Sadly, many frauds and thefts go unreported. This American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) report suggests the actual cost could reach his $28 billion.
a helping hand
What can we do to help older and vulnerable people who are targeted by fraud and morally questionable business practices? Seniors of America, experts in financial education for seniors We spoke with Dr. Genevieve Waterman of the National Council of State (NCOA). She was quick to point out that pushy salespeople often use the same tactics as scammers, creating a false sense of urgency to secure signatures and sales.
Starting to help your loved ones may require negotiating difficult conversations. Some people have a hard time accepting help, prefer to keep their finances private, or feel that advice is patronizing. First of all, you can ask if you want, but be careful not to be judgmental when they open up to you. Getting into the habit of talking openly about these things will make your life easier in the future. It works best in both directions. Don't just give, share your concerns and ask for advice. After all, it's not just the elderly who get scammed.
