SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WXYZ) — Tanjai Green told 7 News Detroit that in her eyes, online scamming is more prevalent than ever.
"They’re scamming us, they’re scamming elderly people, all the time, I think it’s horrible," said Green.
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According to Green, the scams have impacted herself, and friends, these past couple years. For Green specifically, it was a scam from a money transferring app that pulled money out of her bank account.
She said that when she tried to get her money back, the money transferring app company sent her a chain of never ending emails.
"Every two or three days, I would get an email, the email would request the same information: my ID, my password, log-ons," said Green. "But if you read at the bottom, it would say a different name."
Years later, Green said that she still has not gotten her money back.
Her story is one of the thousands from across the United States.
In fact, new data from the Federal Trade Commission shows that consumers lost $12.5 billion due to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023.
Dr. Peter Lichtenberg specializes in the psychology of how scammers are able to target older adults and persuade them to part with their money. He said that recently, scammers' tactics are evolving, they are searching for vulnerability.
"There’s a special class that are targeting older adults," said Lichtenberg. "Being retired, maybe having some disabilities yourself, maybe having some anxiety, or depression."
When asked the best way to approach someone you believe is being scammed, Lichtenberg said, "Such an important thing. How do you have this conversation? One thing is, you can’t just tell them; unfortunately, that never works."
According to Lichtenberg, it's important to "build a bridge" with someone you're worried is being scammed. Ask them questions about what they think is happening before you simply tell them they're being fooled. In other words, listen to their side of the story and search for the reason behind why they may believe the scammer.
"You have to understand why it is important," explained Lichtenberg.
He also said that it is important for everyone to have a person they can talk about money with.
In lieu of the rise in scamming, large banking corporations such as Chase provide customers with best practices to safeguard their money.
You can find their list of resources here.
They also provide a list of tips for romance fraud scams specifically:
- Be cautious with strangers: Stick to connecting with people you know on social media and be wary of anyone who’s hesitant to meet in person. Don’t share personal financial details and protect your privacy by blocking unwanted texts and calls.
- Verify identities: Online dating is super popular, but it's important to do your homework. If someone has very few photos and avoids video calls or meeting up, be suspicious about sharing personal information.
- Be Skeptical of Sob Stories: Be cautious if someone you’ve met online shares a dramatic or urgent story and asks for financial help. Scammers often use emotional manipulation to exploit your kindness. Common tactics include claiming a family crisis, like a medical emergency, or needing money for a plane ticket to come and see you. These stories are designed to tug at your heartstrings and prompt you to act quickly without thinking it through.
- Don't Send Money: Avoid sending money to anyone you've only spoken to online or by phone. This includes not just traditional methods like bank transfers, but also peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Scammers often request these forms of payment because they're hard to trace and recover.
- Be Wary of Payment Requests: If someone you’ve met online asks for financial help, especially through unconventional payment methods, consider it a major red flag. Scammers often use emotional stories to manipulate you into sending money.
- Protect Personal Information: Avoid sharing sensitive personal information, such as your address, financial details, or social security number, with someone you haven’t met in person.
- Trust your instincts: You know that phrase, "It’s not you, it’s me"? In the world of romance scams, it’s often true. Scammers might try to make you feel paranoid if you express discomfort. Trust your gut and don’t hesitate to ask for help if something feels off.
- Beware of urgency: If someone is rushing things, take a step back and think about why. Over-the-top affection early on could be a tactic to manipulate you emotionally and financially. Always question the motive behind the fast pace.
- Chase encourages customers to use secure banking practices, such as setting up account alerts, using strong passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security.
