Talking to your aging parents about their money challenges is no easy task. After all, these are the folks who budgeted for your braces in 7^th grade or mapped out your college savings plan. Even if your parents managed their funds well for years, advancing age can cause financial skills to slip.

Whether it’s mounting debt, dwindling retirement savings, or falling victim to a scam, the elderly are particularly at-risk for running into money trouble. What’s more, if your aging parents need help managing their finances, they might be too embarrassed to ask. It’s not a pleasant fact to face, but it’s important to be proactive—otherwise, you could be left with the financial fallout.

So how can you tell if your parents are having problems with money? There are some red flags to look for, including:

Take note if your parents begin to forget important financial details, like where their money and investments are held. They may also be unable to account for large withdrawals.

Bills piling up on the kitchen table or multiple voicemails from creditors can all point to a lapse in payment. The fees and interest charges alone from these uncollected debts can be devastating to your parents’ finances.

Older individuals can be susceptible to the hard-sell tactics of home shopping channels or online “deals.” Watch for excessive purchases, or multiple purchases of the same item.

Lonely elders tend to be more willing to invite strangers into their lives. Be on the lookout for a new friend that your parent has suddenly placed a large amount of trust in. They may have befriended your parent for financial gain

Most contractors do legitimate work, but some will take advantage of retirees by telling them that there’s serious damage to their home. Should your parent announce that their home needs a massive repair, confirm that the work is actually necessary.