41% of fraud cases targeting retirees begin with a phone call

There has been a remarkable increase in fraud attempts targeting retirees across Turkey in recent years. Authorities report that the rate of individuals over 60 being exposed to fraud has nearly doubled in the last four years, resulting in millions of liras in total losses.

The primary reason for these scams, which specifically target elderly citizens, is cited as retirees' hesitation to seek help with financial matters and their lack of sufficient familiarity with digital technologies.

Fraudsters mostly reach out to retirees by posing as bank officials, public servants, or representatives of a trusted institution.

In cases reported recently, it was determined that most victims were kept on the line for long periods during phone calls with the fraudster, preventing them from communicating with their surroundings and forcing them to make decisions under pressure.

When examining the statistics for the last year in Turkey, it is stated that 41% of fraud cases targeting retirees begin with a phone call; email, fake websites, and pop-up warnings are used at lower rates.

It was reported that the total financial loss in complaints filed by individuals over 60 to the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) over the last four years was approximately 120 million TL in 2020, while this figure exceeded 350 million TL in 2024.

Experts emphasize that this increase is based only on reported cases and that actual losses may be even higher.

FRAUDSTERS TRAP VICTIMS WITH NEW METHODS

Today, fraudsters are resorting to increasingly complex and persuasive methods to convince their victims. By making contact via phone, they act like a trusted bank, government agency, or well-known retailer to obtain personal information. They aim to put victims in a state of fear or panic with various scenarios such as "Your card has been cloned," "A suspicious transaction has been made from your account," or "There is a criminal complaint filed against you with the prosecutor's office." In such cases, high-amount money transfers are usually requested, and by the time most victims realize what has happened, it is too late.

Bitdefender Antivirus Turkey distributor Alev Akkoyunlu states that especially in this period when digitalization is accelerating, the scenarios used by fraudsters are diversifying and becoming more dangerous. It is announced that reported fraud cases have increased by 65% from 2020 to 2024, and the average loss amount has also doubled.

6 BASIC PROTECTION STEPS FOR RETIREES

Experts recommend the following steps for retirees to be effectively protected against fraudsters:

1. Be skeptical about money transfer requests: Never respond to sudden requests for money from someone you do not know.
2. Perform independent verification: Before believing someone who claims to be calling from a bank or an institution, verify the situation by calling the official call center.
3. Block unknown calls: Do not answer calls from numbers you do not recognize and use the blocking feature if necessary.
4. Consult someone you trust: When you encounter a request or a suspicious situation, make sure to talk to a relative or someone you trust.
5. Prefer security software: Install reliable security software on your computer and smartphone, and avoid clicking on suspicious links and files.
6. Follow current information and warnings: Since fraud methods are constantly changing, follow the agenda warnings of banks and official institutions.

Stating that all citizens, especially retirees, should always be careful against new fraud methods, Akkoyunlu said, "Awareness is of vital importance to ensure both our own safety and that of our close circle."

In conclusion, being skeptical, verifying calls and requests, and staying in communication with one's surroundings are among the measures that can save lives to avoid being a target for fraudsters. Receiving basic training on technology and maintaining closer communication with relatives plays a major role in preventing financial losses for retirees.

News Source: 12punto