Strategies to Secure Yourself and Elderly Relatives from Swindlers: Insights from LisaAlert (10 Recommendations)
In an era where technology has become an integral part of our lives, the risk of falling victim to fraudulent activities has significantly increased. To help combat this growing issue, the "LizaAlert" search and rescue team in Russia has provided several important recommendations to protect yourself and your loved ones from sophisticated fraudsters.
1. **Guard your personal information**: Be cautious when sharing sensitive details such as passport numbers, bank card information, or home address with unknown or unfamiliar individuals.
2. **Verify identities thoroughly**: Always verify the identity of anyone requesting help or money, especially if contacted unexpectedly by phone or online.
3. **Avoid hasty decisions**: Fraudsters often create a sense of urgency or emotional pressure. Take time to verify and consult trusted family members or friends before acting.
4. **Communicate through official channels**: When in doubt, reach out directly to official organizations or authorities to confirm any requests or information received.
5. **Educate family members**: Make sure children and elderly relatives understand common fraud tactics and encourage skepticism of suspicious messages or calls.
6. **Report suspicious activity**: If you encounter or suspect fraud, report it promptly to law enforcement agencies or trusted organizations like LizaAlert.
Recent statistics reveal a concerning trend. From January to March 2024, fraudsters stole nearly 6.9 billion rubles from Russians, a 60% increase from the same period in 2023. Elderly people are often targeted by fraudsters, so it's essential to keep their documents under control and consider storing them with relatives.
It's crucial to maintain your composure when dealing with potential fraudsters as their calls are designed to scare and make you act quickly. If threatened or demanded to perform certain actions, report it to the police immediately and record the caller's number, date, time, and nature of the demands.
Technical control measures can be inquired about from a service provider or bank to further secure accounts. Setting a limit on bank transactions from the card and setting a restriction on bank transactions from an elderly person's account without confirmation from another person can help prevent unauthorized transactions.
Enabling "parental control" on the phones of children and elderly relatives can make it impossible to disable geolocation without a password. This function can assist in tracking their whereabouts, especially if they live alone. Disabling the landline phone can help protect elderly people from scammers who often target these devices.
If you notice unusual behavior or changes in a loved one, it's better to check their surroundings as soon as possible. Cases of fraud have resulted in victims being forced to sell their apartments, secretly change their place of residence, and cut off all contacts with their loved ones.
Remember, law enforcement will never threaten you over the phone or ask you to participate in special operations. If you suspect fraud, do not engage in negotiations, try to verify the situation, or transfer money. Instead, report it immediately to the authorities and stay vigilant to protect yourself and your loved ones.
For more detailed advice, you can visit LizaAlert's official website or trusted information portals.
- Stay informed about health-and-wellness: Regularly read up on mental health articles to understand the signs of emotional distress that could make one more vulnerable to fraudulent activities.
- Prioritize your science-backed knowledge: Keep yourself updated with the latest research in the field of psychology, as it can provide valuable insights into the tactics used by fraudsters and help you avoid falling prey to their scams.
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