'Help me mum' texts, iTunes tax scams & more cons that target the less tech-savvy

While many of us might spot the warning signs of these scams, more vulnerable people – including older or less tech-savvy people – are at greater risk.

Dodging scams is a sad part of everyday life.

There are constant attempts to dupe us into sharing our personal details, or part with our money, with criminals making a small fortune from victims.

While many of us have become rather au fait with spotting the telltale signs of common scams, there are certain tricks that have proven effective against more vulnerable people, particularly those who are less tech-savvy or more advanced in age and perhaps less aware of the risks these scams present.

Here are some of the scams that are more likely to catch out vulnerable people, and that our parents might fall for.

‘Mum, I need some money’

One scam that has been shockingly effective has centred on the sending of texts or WhatsApp messages to parents, claiming to be from their children and in financial distress.

For example, they might claim that they have lost their phone and wallet and so are using a friend’s phone to ask for help.

The idea is that the parent is sufficiently panicked by their child being in trouble that they are less likely to ask questions and simply send the money to the requested account as soon as possible.

It’s a scam my in-laws were caught out by, when they received a message which seemed to be from my brother-in-law.

It was only once the money was sent that the nagging doubts started over the veracity of the message and they realised they had been scammed.

As is so often the way with scams, the effectiveness comes from making us feel we need to act quickly, and that stops us asking questions which might expose the scam before we lose our money.

If you receive a message from an unknown number, claiming to be from a loved one in trouble, then it’s important not to panic.

Ask questions that only the loved one could answer ‒ even just confirming their name or date of birth ‒ and make clear that money won’t be sent until they are answered.

Even just calling the loved one’s actual phone number will make a difference ‒ it’s a scam then they will be able to pick up and confirm they are not in trouble really.

Grooming older people

One of the sneakiest scams I’ve come across in recent years has involved what is essentially the grooming of older people.

Understandably, there is some distrust around receiving unexpected calls supposedly from your bank, so this scam focuses on addressing that trust issue.

The scammer contacts you a few times, posing as your bank, letting you know that they had spotted a suspicious payment on your account and stepped in to prevent it. Over a couple of calls like this, they build trust with you, giving the impression they are on your side.

Then there’s another call, where the scammer says they need your help catching a fraudster within the bank, and in order to do that all you have to do is approve a payment.

You think you’re helping out your ‘guardian angel’ from the bank, when in reality they are just taking out financial products in your name and making off with the loot.

We wrote about it in How scammers are targeting older people, but really the key to protecting yourself is to retain a healthy level of scepticism about communication supposedly from your bank at all times.

Even if you do find yourself trusting the person on the other end of the line, are they really going to need your help in catching a thief?

Paying your tax in iTunes vouchers

Many of us understandably want to keep on the good side of the taxman.

Which is why it is a bit scary if you suddenly get a call supposedly from HMRC warning that you have not paid enough tax, with the police on the way if you don’t settle your bill.

The alarms should start going off though when the scammers ‒ posing as the taxman ‒ say that you can pay that missing sum through gift cards purchasable at your local supermarket.

You just have to buy them and then read the codes down the line to the person on the other end of the line.

The scam has been prevalent enough that HMRC itself has issued warnings about it, to raise awareness.

Once again, it’s a scam that logically falls apart when you take the time to consider it properly.

Does the taxman really accept payment in gift cards?

But when you’re feeling under pressure, potentially being threatened with the police, then of course people are going to fall victim to it.

The key is trying to remain calm, take that step back and try to view the situation logically.

Turning up on the doorstep

A particularly common scam tactic used against vulnerable people is to turn up on the doorstep and try to talk them into handing over their money.

It’s not quite as blatant as that, but doorstep scams come in all sorts of different forms. They could pose as representatives of an energy firm and try to talk you into signing up to a cheaper, non-existent deal.

Or they might attempt to push overpriced or fake items onto you, or perhaps even pose as members of the police.

The fact that they are right in front of us, at the entrance to our home, can put us on the backfoot and mean we make poor decisions. 

It’s crucial here to stop, ask to see some identification before even speaking to the person at the door, and don’t allow yourself to be pressured into anything.