So What Works?

SO WHAT WORKS?

AARP's studies show an educational approach succeeds in cutting the victims' response rate to telemarketing calls by about half.
What doesn't work well, the AARP found, are scare tactics or any approach that makes the older person feel like an idiot for having been victimized.
"Information must be provided in a way that reflects empathy for the victim -- the notion anyone can fall prey to telemarketing fraud and that the victim is not stupid for doing so," the AARP researchers concluded.
Otherwise, victims may try to rationalize away the situation by denying they've been had, or avoiding the subject altogether, which means they may not pay attention to a discussion of techniques to help them avoid future scams.
So how should you approach a fraud victim or potential victim?
Don’t preach. Being negative or condescending increases the chances your message will be tuned out.
Discuss the signs. Con artists often press victims to make a quick decision, citing some impending deadline. They often want credit card numbers or other personal information; seniors should be warned not to provide such information to anyone they don't know.
Talk about concrete coping strategies. Your friend or family members needs to know it's OK to hang up on telemarketers. If they've been repeatedly victimized, discuss the possibility of changing their phone number; scam artists trade "sucker lists" of prior victims and the only way to get off may be to abandon the old number.

18th Judicial District