Elderly Safety During Election Season — Scam Awareness

Election season brings a wave of political communication — fundraising calls, campaign texts, opinion surveys, and volunteer outreach. Mixed into this flood are scams designed to exploit older adults. Fraudsters know that seniors tend to answer the phone, take callers at their word, and are often generous donors.

Common election-related scams include fake campaign donation requests, phishing texts disguised as voter registration updates, robocalls claiming the person's voter status is at risk, and impersonators posing as poll workers requesting personal information.

Older adults living alone are especially vulnerable because there is no one nearby to overhear a suspicious call or question a large donation. The isolation that comes with living alone can also make someone more receptive to callers who seem friendly and concerned. Understanding the broader risks of isolation helps — the guilt many families feel about not staying closer is real and valid.

Fake donation requests are the most widespread. Scammers call or text claiming to represent a candidate or party, asking for credit card or bank information. Legitimate campaigns do fundraise aggressively, which makes these fakes harder to spot. The key difference is that real campaigns never ask for bank account numbers or Social Security information.

Voter intimidation scams tell the person they will lose their right to vote unless they provide personal information or pay a "registration fee." There is no fee to register to vote or to vote in any US election. Any call demanding payment is a scam.

Survey scams use fake polls to gather personal data. They start with innocent political questions and gradually ask for more sensitive information — income, health status, address, living situation. This data can be used for identity theft or to target future scams. A thorough overview of elderly internet and phone safety covers how to spot and avoid these tactics.

Watch for unexpected political donations, especially large or frequent ones. If your parent suddenly mentions donating to candidates or causes they have never discussed before, it is worth a gentle conversation about what prompted the donation and how it was made.

Increased anxiety about voting or politics can be a sign of intimidation scams. If your loved one expresses unusual fear about losing their voter registration or facing penalties, someone may have called them with threats.

Other signs include unfamiliar charges on bank or credit card statements, reluctance to discuss phone calls they have received, and a sudden increase in political mail or calls. The connection between scams and elder abuse patterns is well documented — financial exploitation is one of the most common forms of elder abuse.

Start with a calm conversation. Explain that scammers increase activity during election season and that even smart, experienced people get fooled. This is not about doubting their judgment — it is about the sophistication of modern scams.

Register their phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. Enable call screening or blocking on their phone. Set up a rule: never give credit card, bank, or Social Security information to anyone who calls them, regardless of who they say they are.

Encourage them to call you before making any donation over a certain amount. This is not about controlling their choices — it is about having a second set of eyes during a season when deception is rampant.

A daily check-in through imalive.co also helps. The routine of daily contact creates natural moments to ask about their day, including any calls they received. Subtle changes in behavior or mood may surface during these check-ins, giving you an early opportunity to ask questions and offer support.