“Older people are more likely to trust the caller and are slow to doubt their identity. Scammers take advantage of this – they try to keep the person on the call as long as possible, create a sense of urgency, and prevent a calm assessment of the situation. Therefore, it is very important to talk about such situations with parents and grandparents before they happen,” says M. Kutkaitis.
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Scammers teach seniors what to say to the bank
Recently, the bank has increasingly encountered cases where scammers not only convince people to make transfers but also instruct them in advance on what to tell bank employees. Victims are given specific instructions on how to explain planned payments or money transfers so that the bank does not become suspicious.
“We notice situations where clients, under pressure from scammers, tell the bank almost identical stories – supposedly buying an apartment abroad, financing a relative’s home renovation, or purchasing a car from a foreign seller. Such stories are often a pre-prepared script by scammers. Sometimes scammers have even taken over all communication with the client, so when the person comes to the bank, they do not even realize that answers or other information have already been provided in their name,” explains M. Kutkaitis.
According to him, such situations show that the scammers’ goal is not only to extort money but also to make the victim part of their plan.
The most important thing is to agree in advance on how to act
The expert emphasizes that it is important not only to tell older relatives about the most common scam schemes but also to agree in advance on how to act when receiving an unexpected call, SMS message, or email.
“From the first seconds of the conversation, scammers try to create the impression that immediate action is required – they report allegedly stolen money, suspicious transactions, or offer a supposedly exclusive investment opportunity. In such situations, the most important thing is not to rush. The best solution is to immediately end the conversation and consult with relatives or contact the bank yourself using its official contacts before making any decision,” advises M. Kutkaitis.
It is also extremely important to regularly remind older people of the basic rules for safely using bank services – never disclose PIN codes or login details to anyone, do not rush to confirm payments, and always carefully read what action “Smart-ID” or another authentication tool asks you to perform. Calls from unknown or foreign numbers should be treated with particular caution.
Scammers primarily target emotions
M. Kutkaitis emphasizes that the biggest weapon of scammers is emotional pressure. They aim to create fear, anxiety, or a sense of urgency so that the person cannot critically assess the situation.
“Many people deceived by scammers later say they felt as if they were ‘hypnotized’ – the most important thing seemed to be to solve the alleged problem as quickly as possible. That is why scammers try to isolate the person from their relatives and leave no time to consult with anyone,” the expert explains.
According to him, relatives should pay attention if an older family member suddenly becomes more withdrawn, anxious, or avoids talking about financial matters. If such behavior is noticed, it is important to immediately contact the bank and report to the police.
“The best protection against scammers is open communication within the family. If parents or grandparents know that at the slightest doubt they should first call relatives or the bank, the likelihood of becoming a scam victim is greatly reduced,” emphasizes M. Kutkaitis.
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