don’t get scammed
The email said her friend needed a $300 gift card for an emergency and would pay her back. The email was a scam and took advantage of her trust and willingness to help others. Senior scams target older adults to steal money, personal information, and identities.
Here are some of the more common scams aimed at seniors:
1. Family/friend scams. Scammers email or call and pretend to be a loved one who needs immediate financial help (e.g., in jail, in the hospital). With AI technology, they may even be able to sound like this person.
2. Tech support scams. These scams suggest you have a computer virus and trick you into giving scammers control over your computer. Ignore pop ups and emails warning you that you have a virus.
3. Home repair scams. Fake or fraudulent contractors demand a prepayment before starting work and then never show up or don’t finish the job.
So how do you protect yourself?
Never give your social security number, bank information, or other personal information to unexpected callers.
Distrust callers or email from unexpected sources. Do not engage with them. Delete email and hang up on callers.
Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
Slow down. Do not be fooled or pressed to act when a scammer says that urgent attention is required.
Install anti-virus software on your computer.
Verify the identity of a caller. When they call, hang up and contact the source directly.
Adopt a skeptical attitude.
Protect yourself from scammers who will prey on your trust and kindness. Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold entrance. Sometimes, it builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you’re capable. Confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting that you can figure it out along the way.
The key to making things happen isn’t waiting for the perfect moment; it’s starting with what you have, where you are. Big goals can feel overwhelming when viewed all at once, but momentum builds through small, consistent action. Whether you’re working toward a personal milestone or a professional dream, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to something real.
You don’t need to be fearless to reach your goals, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that you’re capable of more than you know. The road may not always be smooth, but growth rarely is. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the version of yourself you’re becoming.
