Why It’s Easier to Scam the Elderly

December 6, 2012 | by Patti Neighmond | NPR

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According to a new study conducted at UCLA, people over the age of 55 are more vulnerable to buying into scams. This is partly due to their lack of ability to process cues that indicate risk, trustworthiness, and subtle danger.

According to a new study conducted at UCLA, people over the age of 55 are more vulnerable to buying into scams. This is partly due to their lack of ability to process cues that indicate risk, trustworthiness, and subtle danger. Another study conducted by the AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons) has shown that the average age of fraud victims is 69, indicating that people belonging to this age group are more likely to put themselves in sales situations and believe proposals that are too good to be true.

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