Full Notification

Seniors make twice as many purchases over the phone than any other demographic in the U.S. Scammers are aware of this trend and often target seniors as a result.

Popular scamming methods include:

1. Offering large sums of money in exchange for a “good faith” payment withdrawn from your bank account.

2. Presenting themselves as a (fraudulent) charity employee. Be mindful of this method especially after a natural disaster (e.g. the Oso mudslide in 2014).

3. The scammers invent a mock family emergency based on information gleaned from a public source to create a believable scenario that demands immediate payment (e.g. cousin Jim needs $1,000 for bail).

4. Pretending to be computer support personnel gaining access to your computer and all the information on it.

How do I prevent this from happening?

1. Be cautious, scammers are creative and often prey on emotions or generous human instincts. Take time to get an objective opinion from a trusted friend or family member. Ask yourself, “is it realistic that I will receive $40 million dollars if only I wire $2,000 to Zambia?”

2. Add your number to the do not call registry (www.donotcall.gov) to mitigate exposure to unsolicited calls.

What if I’m a victim?

Don’t be embarrassed. You aren’t the first phone scam victim. Contact the Anacortes Police Department and speak with an officer. Other sources you can turn to for information include:

National Council on Aging – www.ncoa.org - 1-202-479-1200
Better Business Bureau - www.bbb.org – 206-431-2222
Federal Trade Commission – www.consumer.ftc.gov