Senior citizens currently represent the most rapidly growing segment of the population in the United States. Currently one in every eight Americans is age 65 or older, a total of more than 35 million. By 2030 this number is expected to reach 64 million. Older Americans often have a “nest egg”, own their own home and have excellent credit, all of which are attractive features to the con man or woman.
CON-ARTIST are persuasive and persistent. The schemes described here have many variation, but they all have the same goal – gaining your confidence and taking your money.
This information is provided to help you identify fraudulent schemes, ways to avoid becoming a victim and who to call if you believe you have been swindled by a con-artist.
Senior citizens are often the targets of frauds and scams. They are targeted for several reasons:
Older Americans often have a “nest egg”.
Older Americans are less likely to report fraud because they don’t know how to report, are too ashamed of having been scammed or do not know that they have been scammed.
If a Senior does report a crime, they often feel foolish and apprehensive.
One of the most important aspects for protecting seniors is having them maintain active involvement with trusted neighbors, friends, and families.
In many successful police cases involving fraud to seniors, they were first alerted by neighbors, friends, and family.
Seniors must also evaluate and consider their own estate planning before it becomes too late. If you have not placed trusted family members on your accounts and are being defrauded then the banks cannot make any notifications to protect your remaining assets.
MAIL THEFT
Both incoming and outgoing mail may be taken from your mailbox. Your checks are washed to remove payee and amount and altered so the suspect can cash them for more money. If possible place your mail in a post office box or better yet inside the box at the post office. Consider Direct Deposit.
FOREIGN LOTTERIES AND SWEEPSTAKES
You receive a call or something in the mail saying you have won the Canadian Sweepstakes or European Lottery but must pay the taxes before the winnings can be claimed. You may even receive a winning check and then are requested to wire transfer the taxes. The check you cashed is counterfeit and you wired real money out of the country. Remember anytime you are request to do a wire transfer by people you have never met will almost always be a SCAM!
TELEPHONE SOLICITATIONS & SCAMS
Telephone solicitors can be annoying and use unethical aggressive tactics that sometimes are illegal. Telephone solicitors now have the ability to have a different number show on your caller ID when they phone you. Remember if you did not make the call then limit or be very reluctant to give out your personal or account information. If you receive calls from people claiming to be law enforcement and requesting donations you should ask that person if he is a police officer. There is no police department that solicits money for law enforcement action and you are only giving your money to unscrupulous organizations with little police affiliations. Telephone scammers have also called victims with a frantic request for help for a family member who is in jail or dire medical need. The scammer will try to convince you to wire money to help the family member. Always verify on your own if a family member is truly in need of help regardless of what the telephone scammer states.
HOME REPAIR
These suspect go door to door offering you a GREAT deal on roof repair, chimney sweeping, house painting and more. They are very friendly and courteous and may even give you a written estimate. They will perform bogus repairs and over charge you when the work is completed. They may distract you while another steals property from inside your home. If you do not report them they could return again in the future to solicit you for more work. Remember do not hire door to door repairman, if you check the yellow pages and better business bureau you are protecting yourself from these types of scammers.
