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United Community: Protecting Seniors from Scams
Horry County is a wonderful place to live and retire, and that’s exactly why conversations about elder fraud matter so much. Unfortunately, scams keep getting more sophisticated, and older adults are often targeted because scammers assume they’ll be trusting, polite, and quick to help someone who sounds like family. At United Community, we believe an important part of our job is helping customers feel informed, protected, and confident—because fraud prevention works best when families, neighbors, and bankers look out for one another.
Why elder fraud is rising—and why urgency is the giveaway
Many of today’s scams have one thing in common: pressure. Scammers try to create a situation that feels urgent, frightening, or embarrassing so the target doesn’t pause to verify what’s happening. They may insist a problem must be handled “right now,” or claim that telling anyone will make it worse. That urgency is not an accident—it’s a tactic designed to bypass common sense.
The most common scams we’re seeing right now
While scams evolve constantly, several patterns show up again and again:
- Impersonation scams: Someone pretends to be a grandchild, a government agency, a bank representative, or a tech support company.
- Prize or sweepstakes scams: A caller claims you “won,” but you must pay fees or provide account information to receive the prize.
- Phishing emails and texts: Messages that look legitimate but are designed to steal passwords, login credentials, or personal information.
- Fake check scams: A scammer sends a check and asks you to deposit it, then send money back. The check later bounces, and you’re responsible for the loss.
- Investment-related scams: Promises of unusually high returns or “can’t miss” opportunities that require immediate action.
No matter the form, the goal is the same: get someone to send money or share sensitive information before they have time to think it through.
Red flags every family should know
If you remember only a few warning signs, make it these. A major red flag is anyone asking you to:
- Move money quickly or “act today”
- Keep a financial request secret from family or trusted friends
- Buy gift cards or share gift card numbers as a form of payment
- Share online banking credentials, passwords, or security codes
- Wire money to someone you don’t know (or can’t verify independently)
A trusted organization will never rush you into a financial decision or discourage you from verifying details. At United Community, we encourage customers to slow down, ask questions, and confirm information through official channels.
What to do if you think a scam is happening
If you or a loved one may be involved in a scam, taking action quickly can make a difference:
- Stop communicating with the person contacting you.
- Do not send more money and do not share any additional personal information.
- Contact your bank right away. The sooner we know, the more we can do to help protect your accounts and guide next steps.
- Report the incident to local law enforcement or the appropriate fraud reporting agency.
And most importantly: don’t be embarrassed. These scams are designed to fool good people. Reaching out is the right move, and it’s how we help stop scammers from harming someone else.
How to start the conversation—without making it uncomfortable
Families often want to help but don’t want to sound accusatory or create fear. A simple approach is to lead with care and shared awareness, such as: “I heard about a scam going around and wanted to make sure we both know what to watch for.”
It also helps to create a basic family plan. For example: agree that before sending a large amount of money—or sharing personal information—your loved one will call a trusted person to talk it through. That one extra step can stop many scams in their tracks.
At United Community, we also believe strongly in the value of knowing our customers. That personal relationship matters, because when a banker understands a customer’s normal patterns, it can help identify when something doesn’t look right.
