Elderly, frail, uneducated and with a lower income? Surprisingly, no. Those most at risk are actually younger, more educated and well off. According to a new study by the Better Business Bureau, 69 percent of scam victims are under 45, and 78 percent are college-educated.
Other surprising facts:
- Eighty-nine percent of seniors approached by a scammer recognized the scam in time, and only 11 percent lost money.
- Three times as many 18‒24-year-olds failed to recognize a scam, and 34 percent reported losing money.
A few reasons for this:
- Younger people think they’re invulnerable to scams.
- They are more likely to shop online.
- Seniors are more scam-savvy.
Another stereotype about age debunked.
We’re all vulnerable to scams, at any age. Find tips on protecting yourself here.