What tactic do scammers use to target isolated elders?

Scammers often target isolated elders by scanning obituaries. This tactic allows them to identify individuals who may be experiencing grief and loneliness, making them more vulnerable to manipulation. By reaching out to these individuals through various means, such as phone calls or messages, scammers can easily exploit their emotional state and offer seemingly comforting connections or services, ultimately leading to financial exploitation or fraud.

While other options involve methods that could potentially target the elderly, they do not specifically focus on the aspect of isolation in the same way. Public announcements can reach a broad audience instead of targeting individuals facing personal loss. Online dating platforms may attract isolated seniors but do not inherently exploit their vulnerability to the same degree as the targeting stemming from a post about their loss. Housing advertisements may attract interest from older adults, but these do not specifically cater to exploiting emotional vulnerabilities associated with isolation or grief. Hence, the tactic of scanning obituaries stands out as particularly effective for exploiting the specific vulnerabilities of isolated elders.