Honeydew CPF shares fraud prevention tips with elderly

The Honeydew CPF, in collaboration with the police, hosted an elderly fraud awareness campaign at Weltevreden Park Methodist Church on March 18.

According to CPF public relations officer Michael Steyn, this initiative is important as senior adults are often specifically targeted by scammers. These campaigns help protect their finances, independence, and overall well-being by equipping them with knowledge and practical tools.

“Scammers often assume elderly individuals are more trusting, less familiar with new technology, or more likely to have savings. This makes them prime targets for phone scams, phishing emails, and door-to-door fraud,” said Steyn.

Constable Mobotja from Honeydew Police Station shared incidents that always lead to criminal activities. She advised residents to always be vigilant when shopping and trading. According to Mabotja, one of the techniques that fraudsters use to make senior residents vulnerable is online.

Residents were allowed to share their fraud experiences and tips to combat ongoing illicit activities.

“A large number of pensioners have fixed incomes. Fraud-related financial losses can have major, long-term repercussions with a limited chance of recovery. Modern scams like impersonation calls, fake banking messages, and online fraud are becoming harder to detect. This can leave many retirees vulnerable to financial exploitation and exacerbate their already limited financial resources,” Steyn said.

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Steyn concluded that the CPF will continue hosting awareness campaigns across the Honeydew precinct. Dates and venues for upcoming talks will be announced.