Senior Scams
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Let’s talk about the power you have to protect yourself from scams.
You are a senior, and you have lived a lifetime of experiences. You have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and wisdom that cannot be taken away from you. You have the power to protect yourself from scams, and I’m here to help you unlock that power.
The first step is to stay informed. Knowledge is power, and the more you know about the latest scams and the tactics that scammers use, the better equipped you will be to protect yourself. But knowledge alone is not enough. You must also take action.
You have the power to protect your personal information and your money. You can be cautious and skeptical of unsolicited calls, emails, or letters that ask for your personal information or money. You can say no and hang up if you suspect you are being scammed. You can take your time and make informed decisions that are in your best interest.
Remember that you are in control. You have the power to protect yourself and your loved ones. Don’t let anyone take that power away from you. If you do fall victim to a scam, don’t be afraid to seek help. There are resources available to help you recover and move forward.
So tap into that power, my friend. Believe in yourself and your ability to protect yourself from scams. Stay informed, be cautious, and take action. You have the power to create the life you want, and I believe in you.
Computer Repair Scams
An “employee” of a computer company contacts you, claiming your computer has a virus and offers to “fix the problem.” The person asks for access to your computer, which allows the scammer to install malicious software designed to scan your computer for personal information or to lock your computer so that you cannot use it until you pay a “ransom” to unlock it.
What to do?
If someone claiming to be from a computer company contacts you and says your computer has a virus, you should first be cautious. Verify their identity before allowing them access to your computer.
One way to do this is to ask for their name and contact information and then look up the company online to see if they are legitimate. You can also ask for a reference number or case number to verify the legitimacy of the call.
It’s important to remember that legitimate companies will never ask for access to your computer unsolicited. They will also never ask for payment before providing a service. If someone asks for either of these things, it’s likely a scam.
If you suspect you are being scammed, the best thing to do is to hang up the phone or close the email and not respond. Do not provide any personal information or allow access to your computer. You can also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission or local law enforcement agency.
If you have already provided access to your computer and believe that your personal information may have been compromised, it’s important to take action immediately. Change your passwords for all accounts, run a virus scan on your computer, and consider contacting your bank or credit card company to alert them of the situation.
Remember always to be cautious and protect your personal information. Don’t let scammers take advantage of you. Stay informed and take action if you suspect a scam. You have the power to protect yourself.
Fake Check Scams
Someone sends you a check or money order and asks you to deposit it in your account and wire transfer back the money, minus a nice bonus, a “thank you” for helping. Regardless of the pitch, the result is the same: The check or money order you received is counterfeit. It will be returned to your bank unpaid, and the full amount will be deducted from your account.
What to do?
If someone sends you a check or money order and asks you to deposit it in your account and wire transfer back the money, it’s important to be cautious. This classic scam preys on people’s greed and desire for easy money.
The first thing to remember is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Legitimate companies or individuals will not send you unsolicited money and then ask you to wire transfer it back to them.
If you receive a check or money order in the mail from someone you don’t know, do not deposit it. Instead, take it to your bank and ask them to verify the authenticity of the check or money order. If it’s found to be counterfeit, do not deposit it and do not wire transfer any money back to the sender.
It’s important to remember that if you deposit a counterfeit check or money order, your bank may hold you responsible for the full amount. This can result in significant financial loss, and even legal trouble.
If you suspect that you are being targeted by a check overpayment scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission or your local law enforcement agency. By staying informed and being cautious, you can protect yourself from these types of scams and avoid becoming a victim.
Remember, you have the power to protect yourself from scams. Don’t let anyone take that power away from you. Stay informed, be cautious, and take action. You can create the life you want.
Phishing and Spoofing
Scammers use clever emails, websites, phone calls, and text messages to “phish” for information by posing as legitimate businesses. Never give personal information to someone who contacts you unexpectedly, even if they say they are from a trusted source, such as your bank.
Scammers can use “spoofing” to disguise the phone number on your caller ID to make their ploys seem more convincing.
What to do?
Scammers are always finding new ways to trick unsuspecting individuals out of their personal information and hard-earned money.
One of the most common methods they use is known as “phishing.” This involves posing as a legitimate business or organization, such as your bank or a government agency, and using clever emails, websites, phone calls, and text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information.
It’s important to remember that legitimate businesses and organizations will never ask for your personal information unsolicited. They would never threaten you with arrest or legal action if you don’t provide them with your personal information.
If you receive a call, email, or text message from someone you don’t know, never give them your personal information. Instead, hang up the phone or delete the email or text message.
It’s also important to be aware of spoofing, where scammers use technology to disguise their phone number and make it appear as if they are calling from a legitimate source, such as your bank. Always be cautious when receiving calls from unknown numbers, and if you suspect you are being scammed, report it to the appropriate authorities.
Remember, you have the power to protect yourself from scams. Stay informed, be cautious, and never give your personal information to someone you don’t know. With the right mindset and actions, you can protect yourself from these scams and create the life you want.
Romance Scams
A con artist meets the victim online or over the phone and claims to be temporarily located overseas — perhaps due to a military assignment or mission trip. After developing a relationship, the scammer eventually asks the victim to send money to pay for airfare, medical expenses, or military fees. In reality, there was never “true love,” and any money sent will be lost.
What to do?
This is a classic example of a romance scam, and unfortunately, it’s becoming more and more common in our digital age.
In a romance scam, a con artist typically creates a fake online profile or persona and reaches out to potential victims, often through dating websites or social media. They will use fake photos and personal information to create an attractive and trustworthy persona.
Once they’ve developed a relationship with their victim, they often claim to be temporarily overseas, such as on a military assignment or mission trip. They will then ask their victim to send them money to pay for airfare, medical expenses, or military fees.
It’s important to remember that any request for money from someone you’ve never met in person should be viewed with extreme caution. If someone you’ve only known online or over the phone asks you to send them money, take a step back and evaluate the situation objectively.
If you suspect that you are being targeted by a romance scam, do not send any money or personal information to the scammer. Instead, report it to the appropriate authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission or your local law enforcement agency.
Remember, you have the power to protect yourself from scams. By staying informed, being cautious, and taking action, you can protect yourself from romance scams and other types of fraud.
Home Improvement Scams
Door-to-door contractors offer to repair your roof, pave your driveway, or trim your trees for a great price. After you pay, the contractor disappears without doing the work or after doing a poor job. Never pay in full upfront. If you are solicited at your home, you have three
days to cancel the contract, and work should not begin within that period.
What to do?
In a home improvement scam, a contractor will often show up at your doorstep uninvited, offering to perform a service for a great price. They may claim they just finished work for your neighbor or have leftover materials from a previous job, making it seem like a great deal.
However, once you pay them, the contractor may disappear without doing the work or may perform a poor job that doesn’t meet your expectations. That’s why it’s important to never pay the full amount upfront and to carefully review any contract before signing.
If you are solicited at your home, remember that you have three days to cancel the contract, and work should not begin within that period. You can also take steps to protect yourself by researching contractors before hiring them and asking for references from previous customers.
Remember, you have the power to protect yourself from scams. By staying informed, being cautious, and taking action, you can protect yourself from home improvement scams and other types of fraud. I believe in you and your ability to create the life you want.
Grandparent Scam
A con artist poses as your grandchild, claims to be in trouble, and asks you to send money via wire transfer or prepaid card. If you’re suspicious, ask a question only a family member would know how to answer and call your son or daughter to confirm the claim.
What to do?
This particularly insidious scam preys on the love and trust between grandparents and their grandchildren. This is the grandparent scam, where a con artist poses as your grandchild, claims to be in trouble, and asks you to send money via wire transfer or prepaid card.
The scammer may claim to have been in an accident, been arrested, or lost their wallet and need money urgently. They may also ask you not to tell their parents to avoid getting in trouble.
If you receive a call like this, it’s important to stay calm and not send any money right away. Ask the caller a question that only a family member would know how to answer, such as the name of a childhood pet or a family tradition. You can also call your son or daughter to confirm the claim and verify that your grandchild is safe.
Remember, scammers rely on your emotions and willingness to help your loved ones. By staying vigilant and verifying any requests for money, you can protect yourself and your family from the grandparent scam. You are strong, you are capable, and you can overcome any challenge that comes your way.
Sweepstakes Scams
Someone falsely claims you have won the lottery or a contest you never entered. All you need to do to collect the winnings is prepay a fee or a tax. However, your winnings will never arrive because the lottery or contest is fake. Legitimate sweepstakes are free and require no upfront payment.
What to do?
Let’s discuss this common scam that preys on people’s hopes and dreams. This is the lottery or contest scam, where a con artist claims that you’ve won a huge prize, but to collect it, you need to prepay a fee or a tax.
Unfortunately, this is just a ploy to get your money, and the promised winnings will never arrive because the lottery or contest is fake. Legitimate sweepstakes and lotteries are always free to enter, and they will never ask you to pay money upfront to collect your winnings.
If someone contacts you and claims you’ve won a prize, be cautious and do some research. Verify that the contest or lottery is legitimate, and never give out your personal information or send money to claim a prize.
Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. You can avoid falling victim to lottery and contest scams by staying vigilant and protecting yourself. You are strong, you are capable, and you can overcome any challenge that comes your way.
Phony Charities
Scammers can invent charities in various ways. They may create a fake website or use social media to promote a charity that does not exist or operate in the way they claim. They may also use a name that sounds like a well-known and reputable charity to mislead people into thinking they are donating to a legitimate cause.
In some cases, scammers may use a real charity’s name but then pocket the donations instead of forwarding them to the actual charity. Or they may create a fake charity with a name similar to a real charity, making it hard for people to distinguish between the two.
These scams can be particularly effective during times of crisis or natural disasters when people are eager to help and may not take the time to research the legitimacy of a charity before donating. That is why it is crucial to be vigilant and always verify the legitimacy of a charity before making a donation.
What to do?
it is important to give to those in need, and support causes that matter to us. However, scammers know that we are generous and compassionate people, and they will try to take advantage of our kindness by inventing fake charities and pocketing our donations.
That is why it is essential to do your due diligence and verify the legitimacy of any charitable organization before making a donation. One way to do this is to call the Attorney General’s Help Center or visit their website to check if the charity is registered and in good standing.
Remember, every dollar you donate should go to the cause you care about, not into the pockets of scammers. By taking the time to research and verify the legitimacy of a charity, you can ensure that your donation will make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most. Keep giving, shining, and making a positive impact in the world.
ALWAYS
- Be skeptical when someone requests immediate payment via wire transfer, prepaid money card, or gift card.
- Research businesses and charities through the Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau.
- Beware of strangers who seek new, quick, personal connections with you or a loved one.
- Get all verbal promises in writing and review contracts.
- Keep your personal information private and shred documents containing such information.
NEVER
- Send a stranger money via wire transfer, gift card, or prepaid credit card.
- Give personal information to someone who has contacted you unexpectedly.
- Carry unnecessary personal information, such as your Social Security card, in your wallet or purse.
- Pay to win a prize or sweepstakes.
- Allow someone “remote access” to your computer.
- Pay the full amount upfront before any work has been done
Other Smart Steps
Use a credit card rather than a debit card, cash, or check. The Fair Credit Billing Act offers certain protections that other payment methods don’t.
For transactions involving large amounts of money sent over the phone on the Internet, you may wish to keep a log of who you spoke with and when, their contact information, and any money paid.
Check your credit report(s) at least once a year at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877- 322-8228. Contact the three major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) if you notice unfamiliar accounts.
Consumer Resources
Annual Credit Report
877-322-8228
www.annualcreditreport.com
Equifax
800-525-6285
www.equifax.com
Experian
888-397-3742
www.experian.com
TransUnion
800-680-7289
www.transunion.com
Better Business Bureau
www.bbb.org
Data & Marketing Association
212-768-7277
www.dmachoice.org
National Do Not Call Registry
888-382-1222
www.donotcall.gov
OptOutPrescreen.com
888-567-8688
www.optoutprescreen.com