Social engineering scams often target Hawaii kūpuna because scammers know many rely on phone communication. A vishing scam happens when a caller pretends to be from Medicare. They may sound friendly, local, or even mention familiar community details to build trust. The goal is to get you to share private information like your Medicare number.
These scams are getting harder to spot because scammers use technology to make their voices sound natural and to personalize their stories. They may know your age, hometown, or health conditions from information found online. This makes the call feel safe even when it’s not.
To protect yourself, remember that Medicare will not call to ask for your number or address. If a call seems suspicious, hang up and call Medicare using the number on your card. Do not click links from unexpected emails, and be careful about sharing personal details on social media.
The best defense is simple: pause, verify, and do not trust any caller who contacts you first. Staying cautious helps protect our Hawaii community from scams that can harm kūpuna and their families.
