Unfortunate as it is, scam artists see seniors as easy targets. Elder fraud often goes unreported, but it's estimated that over $40 billion is stolen from America's senior citizens every year*, and, due to a lack of proper senior citizen fraud protection in place, this figure is increasing. Avoid common elder fraud tricks.
If you answer “yes” to any of the following, contact your BBB:
- Have you received a phone call asking for your personal information, bank account or credit card numbers, or Medicare ID number?
- Did you receive a check in the mail with a letter stating you’ve won a sweepstakes or prize?
- Has someone knocked on your door selling products or services (such as a roofer offering a discount or an individual selling magazines or home alarm installation)?
- Does the offer or product sound too good to be true?
- Have you been asked to wire money or return an overpayment?
- Have you found unexpected charges to your bank account or credit card?
- Did you receive an e-mail claiming to be from your financial institution asking you to update your account information?
- Did you receive a high-pressure, emotional call from a charity with a name that sounds similar to a recognized charity?
- Were you invited to an estate planning seminar?
- Did you get a call from someone in distress claiming to be your grandchild asking you to wire money to get out of a bind or call them back using an 876 area code?
*http://www.fraud.org/elderfraud/eldproj.htm
Click here to download Top Ten Red Flags for Seniors flyer
