Get ahead of fraud with preventive conversations. Share data on the rise of fraud and ask if they would like help being protected. Letting them take the lead with independence will make it a smoother road.

Ask about protective account options. Some financial institutions offer transaction alerts, daily withdrawal limits or review for unusual transfers. Ask if your parents would add you as a trusted contact on their accounts so their bank, credit union or investment firm can contact you if it suspects fraud.

Ease into account monitoring. Discuss options such as view-only access or subscribe to an account-monitoring service such as EverSafe, which alerts both the account holders and a trusted contact to unusual activity.

Pass along the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline. At 877-908-3360, experts offer tips to avoid scams, help with identifying a possible scam and support for victims. They are also open to helping relatives concerned about an elder in their life.

Help them freeze their credit. To prevent new accounts from being opened in their name, your loved ones can freeze his or her credit for free. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion offer this free service, which can be temporarily lifted if credit is legitimately needed.