Why it's easier to scam the elderly

Frauds aimed at the elderly are a heartbreaking occurrence. But there may be a physiological reason older people are more susceptible to scams. A study by psychologists at UCLA found that people older than 55 were less likely to pick up on the visual clues of a scam artist, such as an averted gaze or smile that doesn't extend to the eyes. Older people generally have a more positive outlook on life, which makes them more trusting and likely to believe too-good-to-be-true offers.