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Resources

Resources » Articles » Guarding Against Fraud For Seniors & Loved Ones

Guarding Against Fraud For Seniors & Loved Ones

Scams are not always of the obvious "too good to be true" variety. A talented scammer can make offers or request sensitive information in ways that actually sound reasonable. People of any age can be tricked, but senors and the elderly must be particularly vigilant.

Avoiding Fraud for Seniors and the Elderly

Why are seniors the favorite targets?

For one, they are likely to have a nest egg. Today's generations of senior were often raised to be polite and note rude (con artists love this). Widows whose husbands handled all the finances are highly prized by scammers.

Fraudsters want two things

They're after your money and personal information. So, apply two basic strategies whenever and however you're approached.

  1. Don't get caught up in "the wind up" of any offers, sales pitches or deals. Focus instead on the bottom line. Ask: "What does this offer or person want from me?" Money or personal information should raise red flags.
  2. To protect your personal information, simply do not reveal it. Thieves can use basic information such as your social security number to pose as you for their own financial gain or steal your credit card number to make purchases in your name.

Avoiding Fraud for Senior and the Elderly2

Common Scams

While the list is by no means exhaustive, these types of fraud, and their variations, all too often target seniors. Scammers choose relevant products or services: investments, vacations, health, and "anti-aging" products, reverse mortgages, medications, medicare drug discount cards, funeral/cemetery products and health insurance products are all on the list.

Phone Scams

The numerous scams include "surveys," discount offers and membership clubs. The caller (a real person or a recorded voice) often asks for a small upfront payment or "deposit" via credit card or asks for other sensitive information to process the offer.

E-mail and other online scams

"Phishing" is one of the most common scams. Typically, a con artist sends an email that appears to be from a legitimate company, such as a bank, alerting you to a problem and asks you to "verify" information such as your bank account number.

In addition, criminals may send attachments (separate files) that are malicious programs that comprise your computer is opened.

Websites that require any sort of payment before receiving a "free" product or admission to a lucrative opportunity are most likely fraudulent.

Direct Mail Scams

Offers directed to seniors include free/ discounted products, anti-aging products, lotteries, travel deals and more. The offers can be worthless, complete fraud, or obligate you to pre-payments. For example, if you have "won the lottery," you may be required to "pay taxes" before you can claim your prize.

Investment Scams

Promise of unusually high rates or return are suspect. Scammers may use cold calls or even use your network of friends to gain confidence.

Medicare Fraud

Seniors are frequent targets of Medicare schemes involving medical equipment manufacturers who offer free products in exchange for Medicare numbers. Scammers can fake the required doctors signatures on forms certifying that equipment or testing is needed, then bill Medicare fraudulently. IN this case, seniors are unwitting accomplices in fraud- and usually receive no products.

Tips For Staying Safe

Avoiding Fraud for Senior and the Elderly Direct Deposit

  • Get Direct Deposit: Social Security and other checks in your mailbox can easily be stolen. With secure direct deposit into your bank account, there are no checks to steal.
  • Protect Your Medicare Number: Only give your insurance information/ Medicare number to those who have provided you with actual medical services. Also, avoid "free" medical service or equipment offers that require your number.

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  • “ For everything you've done for Larry, for being the special people that you are... thank you so very much. ”

    -- Sue Longe & Family

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    -- Betsy

  • “ Words cannot say how much we appreciate your loving care for Mom, Grandma, Grammie. You all truly became her extended family. You brought out a social and spunky side of her that would have been missed by so many if we had tried to care for her at home. ”

    -- Mike & Jeanne Mears

  • “ They hug me frequently. Those hugs restore life to my soul. That other nursing home in Connecticut was fine but the care here is hundreds of times better. ”

    -- Clara Stone, resident

  • “ You all went out of your way to attend to my needs and make my stay very pleasant. You never complained about complying with all the protocols when I was in quarantine. Many blessings to each of you as you continue in your ministry of caring. ”

    -- Bill Monroe

  • “ I appreciate so much your arranging things for me so that I could get therapy at Vernon Green. My needs were attended to very professionally by your staff. I thank the Lord for your kind and compassionate heart as you faithfully lead the work of Vernon Home. ”

    -- Bill

  • “ Thank you so much for all the wonderful, loving care you all showed our mom. You all were such a blessing to us as well as to Mom! ”

    -- Leta Wilkinson

  • “ As many of you know, my mom is not one to sugarcoat anything… in fact, she can be the first to complain… my mom regularly says that she is so grateful to be cared for by such a loving group of people. ”

    -- Lynna Jackson, daughter of Clara Stone

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    -- Rev. Dwight S. Dean

  • “ The patient and loving way that everyone has is contagious. Thank you all. ”

    -- The Bologan Family

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