How Social Engineering Puts Senior Living at Risk
Let’s talk about one of the most overlooked threats in senior living tech today… people.
Specifically, people getting tricked. We’re talking about social engineering, a fancy term for scams that hack people.
What Is Social Engineering?
Think of it like a con artist in the digital age. A scammer pretends to be someone trustworthy (an IT tech, friend, family member) and uses that fake identity to get access to things they shouldn’t. Passwords. Payment approvals. Medical records.
Why Scammers Target Senior Living Communities
Senior living communities are special because they’re built on kindness, trust, and people always wanting to help. That’s what makes them wonderful places to live—, but it’s also why scammers see them as easy opportunities.
Here’s what you should know:
Staff are friendly and always willing to lend a hand, which scammers try to take advantage of.
Not everyone is a technology expert (and that’s perfectly fine!) but it can make spotting scams harder.
There’s often personal and sensitive information in the community that scammers want to get their hands on.
People Actually Fall for This Stuff?
Yes, and it’s more common than you might think. On a recent Raising Tech podcast episode, scam-baiting expert Kitboga talked about how professional scammers now run operations like actual businesses. These aren’t just random calls from someone asking for gift cards. These are well-researched, targeted scams (sometimes pretending to be trusted companies like Fidelity) convincing people to hand over entire retirement accounts.
Here’s What You Can Do Right Now
You can’t install software to fix human error, but you can build awareness and smarter habits.
Start with this:
Pause before acting: If something feels urgent or too good to be true, take a moment before responding.
Verify the source: Call the person or company back using a number you already know, not the one given in the message.
Never share personal info: Don’t give out Social Security numbers, bank details, or passwords over the phone, text, or email.
Look for red flags: Bad grammar, strange email addresses, or pushy requests are signs of a scam.
Keep tech updated: Install updates on your phone, tablet, and computer to protect against known threats.
Ask a trusted person: If unsure, check with a family member, friend, or staff before taking action.
Use software programs like Seraph Secure to stop scams before they start
Stay Skeptical, Stay Safe
Social engineering is sneaky. With the right tools, tech partners, training, and culture in place, you can shut that door tight and keep your residents, staff, and systems safe.