You pick up the phone and hear a friendly voice: “Grandma, it’s me… can you hear me?”

One simple “yes” can be all a scammer needs—especially now that criminals can capture voices, spoof phone numbers, and use AI to make calls feel personal and urgent.

That was the sobering reality discussed at Protecting Seniors from Fraud, a community forum hosted at United Hebrew and moderated by Lynda Baquero, Emmy-winning NBC 4 New York consumer reporter. With scams targeting older adults rising fast, Baquero guided a practical, plainspoken conversation focused on what seniors and families can do immediately to reduce risk.

Panelists included:

Jim Maisano, Director, Westchester County Consumer Protection Department
Christine Hatfield, Bureau Chief, Child Abuse & Elder Abuse, Westchester County District Attorney’s Office
Gwen Galef, Bureau Chief, Economic Crimes, Westchester County District Attorney’s Office
Daniel Reingold, founder of the Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse and former President & CEO of RiverSpring Health

The first rule: Don’t answer unknown calls

The most repeated takeaway was also the simplest: if you don’t recognize the caller, don’t pick up. As Maisano put it: “If they want to leave you a message, they’ll leave you a message. Let it go to voicemail.”

Why? Because scammers use spoofing, technology that makes a call look like it’s coming from a local number, a familiar town, or even a trusted organization. And once you answer, you may be flagged as someone who picks up, which can lead to even more scam attempts.

If you accidentally answer, the panel advised not to engage. Ask “Who is this?” and hang up. Better yet, let unknown calls go to voicemail and verify any request by calling a trusted number you already know.

Pressure is the tell

Hatfield emphasized a tactic law enforcement sees again and again: pressure. When someone is rushing you, stressing you, and demanding immediate reaction, it’s often a sign you are dealing with a scam. Legitimate organizations give you time to slow down and verify.

They often time scams to moments when you’re most vulnerable:

A utility shutoff threat during a cold snap or heat wave
A “grandchild” in trouble who needs money immediately
A call claiming to be the IRS, police, your bank, or a delivery carrier
Romance scams that start with attention and end with requests for money

Hatfield’s guidance was clear: scammers “want you off your game… they don’t want you to think about what they’re talking about.” The antidote is to slow everything down and independently confirm the story.

“Click this link” is a flashing warning sign

The panel also urged seniors to treat unexpected links in texts and emails as high-risk, especially messages about packages, tolls, banking alerts, or online shopping.

Speakers warned that links can be the doorway to malware and identity theft: click once, and you may unknowingly give criminals access to personal information, or land on a convincing fake site designed to capture passwords or payment details.

A safer habit: don’t click. Instead, go directly to the organization’s official website by typing it in yourself, or call the number printed on your bill or statement.

Protect your identity before it’s tested

When asked how people discover identity theft, panelists noted that sometimes you don’t know right away—until a new account shows up, a bill arrives for something you didn’t open, or a small “test” charge appears on your card.

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Practical prevention steps discussed at the forum included:

1) Review statements monthly.
Reingold recommended making it non-negotiable: “Every month you must look at your bank statement and your credit card statement… How else are you going to catch it?”

2) Consider a credit freeze.
A credit freeze can help prevent new accounts from being opened in your name. If setting it up feels confusing, ask a trusted family member to help.

3) Set up a trusted contact at your bank.
Reingold highlighted the value of designating someone your bank can call if suspicious activity occurs, an extra layer of protection before a large withdrawal or unusual transfer goes through.

If something happens: report it, even if you feel embarrassed

The panel returned to this point repeatedly: scams thrive on silence and shame. Hatfield reassured the audience that criminals are skilled and persistent. Being targeted is not a personal failure.

If you suspect fraud, contact your financial institution immediately, and consider notifying law enforcement. Hatfield shared a key local resource: the Westchester County District Attorney’s Elder Abuse Hotline: 914-995-1940.

Galef also explained why reporting matters even when cases are difficult to prosecute: arrests can uncover patterns, other victims, and sometimes even stolen cash that can be returned.

One rule that can stop a scam in its tracks

As the conversation wrapped, Baquero asked for “one piece of advice” people could take home. The simplest may be the strongest:

“If anyone is asking you for money… end it. Do not engage.”

Hang up. Don’t click. Don’t send a gift card. Don’t withdraw cash for someone you haven’t verified. Then call a trusted number yourself to confirm what’s real.

United Hebrew’s commitment to safety and education

Hosting this forum is part of United Hebrew’s broader commitment to supporting seniors and their families—not only through health and housing, but by addressing everyday risks that can threaten their financial security and peace of mind.

If you’d like to learn about future educational events at United Hebrew, or need information about our senior living, assisted living, memory care, or short-term rehabilitation services, please contact us or sign up for our newsletter.

In the meantime, keep talking about scams with the people you love. Share what you learn. And remember: slow down, think, and verify.

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