Senior Scam Alert Guide: Reducing Risk
© 2016 SYNERGY HomeCare, All Rights Reserved. If you are over 65, you probably grew up in an era when business was done with a firm handshake; unfortunately, crooks today are playing on that trust.
The Federal Trade Commission says that fraud complaints to its offices by individuals 60 and older rose at least 47 percent between 2012 and 2014.
Seniors are the predominant victims of impostor schemes, where criminals pose as authority figures and claim that money is owed. They also are hit hard by scams involving prizes, sweepstakes and gifts.
This guide identifies eight of the most common scams that target seniors, along with the common warning signs of each scam and information on how you can avoid becoming a victim.
The Attorney General in your State also assists with Consumer Fraud investigations impacting state residents. To find out who is the Attorney
General in your own state visit this website:
http://www.naag.org/naag/attorneys-general/whos-my-ag.php
Senior Scam Alert Guide: Reducing Risk Contractor Fraud
How It Works
A handyman shows up at your home unsolicited and offers to do repairs at a very
reasonable rate. No contracts are signed, and no references are checked. The
so-called handyman asks you for money upfront to pay for supplies. He begins
the work but then disappears with the money, leaving the job unfinished and you
with more household problems than before.
How to Avoid It
● Always ask for references.
● Ask to see their license and insurance documents. Contractors need to have a
license and insurance to do work.
● In many cases, permits need to be pulled before any work commences. Do not
let someone start work on your home without checking to see if a permit is
required.
● Never give any money upfront, especially cash that can’t be traced.
Senior Scam Alert Guide: Reducing Risk Romance Scam
How It Works
Scammers often play on your loneliness. They can break your heart and your
bank account. Typically, you would meet the con artist through a social
networking or dating site. The scammer, who will say that they are in another city
or country, will then proceed to build a relationship with you.
The con artist will eventually state they want to meet you in person. Around this
time, the criminal will seek assistance from you in covering travel costs. A
variation on this theme includes the criminal asking you to send money to help
them visit a sick relative. Of course, the requests for help are all a scam, and the
money you wired is now in the hands of the con artist.
How to Avoid It
● Be suspicious when someone you haven't met professes their love.
● Never send money for any reason to someone you haven’t met.
● Be cautious when conversing with an individual that claims to live close to you but
is working overseas; this is a setup for the fraudster to provide numerous reasons
to ask for money.
● If you receive a check or other form of payment from someone you've met online,
and they ask you to cash it and send a portion of the funds back to them, don't do
it.
Senior Scam Alert Guide: Reducing Risk Phishing
How It Works
Phishing is the act of sending an email falsely claiming to be a legitimate
business in an attempt to trick you into divulging personal information, such as
passwords, credit card numbers and bank account information. The emails are
usually very realistic, with company logos, links and branding. These emails
sometimes include a link to a fake website set up to steal your information. Other
emails include attachments that, when opened, install malware on your computer
in order for hackers to steal your personal information.
How to Avoid It
● Your bank will never send you an email or call you on the phone asking you to
disclose personal information, such as your credit card number, online banking
password or your mother’s maiden name. They already have that information.
● Be suspicious of unsolicited emails that have a sense of urgency and warnings that
your accounts will be closed or your access limited if you don’t reply.
● Fraudulent emails are typically not personalized and instead are addressed in
general terms, such as "Dear loyal customer."
● If you receive an email notifying you that an email money transfer is being sent
from a person you don't know, delete the email, as it is likely fraudulent.
● Report any fraudulent emails you receive to the bank or other company being
falsely represented.
Senior Scam Alert Guide: Reducing Risk Grandparent Scam
How It Works
In a grandparent scam, a scammer calls or emails you and poses as a grandchild
in legal trouble or as someone claiming to represent the relative (such as a
lawyer or law enforcement agent). Using Facebook and other social media sites,
the scammer will know just enough information, such as where your grandkids
live, where they are vacationing or other personal details and use this information
to convince you that this is your relative. You are then instructed to wire money to
the scam artist with the claim that the funds will be used for bail money, lawyer’s
fees, hospital bills or other expenses. You are also urged not to tell anyone, such
as the parent of the “grandchild.”
How to Avoid It
● Never offer information to the caller. If they prompt you with a question like, “Do you know who this is?” simply say “no” and have them identify themselves. ● Press your caller for details. Ask them questions about their specific location or have them repeat their story. A criminal will have a hard time recalling details or coming up with them on the spot. ● Ask the caller a few personal questions that a real grandchild could answer but an imposter could not. ● After you hang up, verify the story by calling the parents or other relatives of the “grandchild.” ● Never wire money to someone under uncertain conditions. It is nearly impossible to recover or trace money that has been wired.
Senior Scam Alert Guide: Reducing Risk Overpayment Scams
How It Works
The overpayment scam targets people selling items online on websites such as
Craigslist and eBay. If you were selling an item online, the potential buyer would
offer to pay you more money than the agreed price. At the time of transaction,
they’ll send a real cashier’s check that has no monetary value tied to it. Or they’ll
send a fake PayPal email that requires you to show a “shipping/tracking number”
before the funds are transferred. By the time you’ve sent the item, it’s too late.
How to Avoid It
● Never send out any items until payments clear. Once you lose possession of the
item, you no longer have any leverage with the buyer.
● Always report these offers of overpayment to the website where you are selling
your item.
Senior Scam Alert Guide: Reducing Risk Medicare Scams
How It Works
Navigating the Medicare system isn’t easy, and some scammers will look for any opportunity to take advantage of the confusion. Commonly, a scammer will claim to be with Medicare and ask for your personal information, such as Medicare, Medicaid,
Social Security, credit card or bank account numbers. You might be given any number of excuses to provide this information, including an error that needs to be fixed, that you are part of a survey or eligible to receive free products, or can sign up for a new prescription drug plan. Medicare will never call you to ask for personal financial information.
How to Avoid It
● Never sign blank insurance claim forms or give a medical provider a blanket
authorization to bill for services rendered.
● Ask your medical providers what they will charge and what you will be expected
to pay out-of-pocket.
● Do not do business with door-to-door or telephone salespeople who tell you that
services or medical equipment are free.
● Keep records of all health care appointments.
● Keep track of what medical equipment your physician has ordered for you.
Senior Scam Alert Guide: Reducing Risk Bogus Charities
How It Works
Many charities depend on the generosity and donations of individuals, and
seniors are some of the most giving people. Unfortunately, some crooks take
advantage of your generosity. Heart-breaking appeals are used with high
pressure tactics to force you to make quick decisions and big donations with little
detail about the charity and how it operates.
How to Avoid It
● Before you make any donation, do research on the charity or cause.
● Ask for written information, and read it carefully before giving money.
● Find out how the contribution will be used, and ask if the donation is tax
deductible.
● Contributions by cash are impossible to trace, so pay by check.
● If you have doubts about a charity, contact the office of the attorney general in
your state.
Senior Scam Alert Guide: Reducing Risk Prize Award Calls and Mail
How It Works
You may get a phone call from someone claiming you have won a prize, such as
a vacation or a lottery. Sometimes you may get a notice in the mail. To claim
your prize, there are often costly strings attached.
How to Avoid It
Look for these red flags:
● In order to claim the prize, you must purchase a product, pay a processing fee or pay taxes. ● Request for a credit card number, checking account number or a Social Security number. ● Often your money must be sent by overnight delivery to a company in another state or country. ● Make sure you report the call or mail to the office of the attorney general in your state.
Senior Scam Alert Guide: Reducing Risk Don’t Stay Silent, Report It
It is estimated that only one in 100 cases of fraud among seniors is reported. Many seniors are just too embarrassed to reveal they’ve been duped. Other times they don’t know where to go to report the crime. If you’ve been a victim of fraud, don’t stay silent — report it.
You should keep the phone numbers of the local police, your bank (if money has been taken from your accounts) and Adult Protective Services on hand.
To obtain the contact information for Adult Protective Services in your area, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116, or visit their website:
www.eldercare.gov
Senior Scam Alert Guide: Reducing Risk