The Mountain Home Police Department released a comprehensive guide Friday detailing common online scams that frequently target older adults, urging residents to recognize warning signs and protect themselves from financial fraud.
The guide, created in partnership with Chappy And Friends, an organization focused on empowering seniors to avoid online scams, outlines 11 major fraud schemes currently circulating nationwide.
Scammers use specific phrases designed to create panic and urgency. Common red flags include demands for secrecy, threats of arrest, instructions to lie to banks and requests for payment through untraceable methods like Bitcoin ATMs or cash shipments.
Among the most prevalent scams:
The Grandparent Scam involves impersonators claiming to be grandchildren in crisis, demanding urgent money while insisting on secrecy. Police recommend families establish a password system and verify emergencies through other relatives before sending funds.
Refund and billing scams use fake invoices appearing to be from PayPal, Norton, McAfee or Geek Squad. These messages urge victims to call immediately to cancel nonexistent charges. Officials advise checking bank accounts directly rather than calling numbers in suspicious emails.
Pop-up scams display full-screen warnings mimicking legitimate companies with flashing messages and fake support numbers. If encountered, users should hold their device’s power button for 10 seconds, wait, then restart — the pop-up should disappear.
The guide particularly warns against remote access tools. Scammers often install programs like TeamViewer, AnyDesk or ScreenConnect to gain control of devices. Police stress removing these applications before changing any passwords.
A sophisticated tactic involves ad-spoofing, where criminals purchase search engine ad space to display fake support numbers in sponsored results. Users should type company URLs directly rather than trusting contact information from ads.
Romance scams remain particularly devastating, with criminals building fake online relationships before requesting money or personal information. A variation involves scammers impersonating celebrities to build trust before making financial requests.
Police emphasized that legitimate organizations never request payment through Bitcoin ATMs or ask customers to ship cash hidden in packages. They also warned about call spoofing, where scammers manipulate caller ID to appear as banks, police or family members.
The guide advises residents to pause if something feels off, call their bank directly or ask someone they trust, and never act under pressure.
The department urges residents who encounter scams to report them to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Local assistance is available through Adult Protective Services at eldercare.acl.gov.
For more information or to report suspected scams, contact the Mountain Home Police Department at (870) 425-6336.
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