By Shannin Prather
October 2015 | 2015 Fall Newsletter
Trust is a powerful and valuable commodity. We all want to believe that people are trustworthy, honest, and have our best interests at heart. While most people are good and will now cheat or take advantage of others; there are a few who take unfair advantage of others, if given the opportunity. Scammers are individuals who cheat, steal, and take advantage of people whom they consider an easy target. These smooth-talking swindlers cheat and steal from innocent, unsuspecting people.
Know how to protect yourself from scammers by recognizing a possible scam when you see it. Below is a list of some of the most common scams and how to avoid becoming a scam victim.
Telemarketing: Perhaps the most common scheme; scammers use fake telemarketing calls to prey on older or homebound adults. Seniors are at a higher risk, because they are more familiar and comfortable with shopping over the phone.
Tip: Do not give out your Social Security Number or credit cards information unless you are sure the the party calling is representing a legitimate business. If necessary, seek further information, such as their company’s main number and verify that by looking the business up online, then call them back at that number, not the one they may have called you from. Consider putting your name and number on the National Do Not Call list. This is a free service and may stop telemarketers from contacting you. To do this, visit donotcall.gov or call 1 (888) 382-1222.
Email Scams: Email messages may appear to be from a legitimate company or institution, asking targets to “update” or “verify” their personal information, or saying that an account has been deactivated. For instance, an email that appears to be from the IRS about a tax refund.
Tip: The IRS will mail you official documents, and normally will not e-mail you to ask for personal information. If you receive an email from your bank or credit card company saying there is an issue with your account, do not click on any links or call any telephone numbers included in the email. Instead, find the main number for them yourself–generally found on the back of your bank or credit card–and verify with them that there is an issue.
Sweepstakes & Lottery Scams: Scammers inform their targets that they have won a lottery or sweepstakes, but need to make some sort of payment to access the prize money. The target mails a check, which is cashed. The target is sent a check, making it seem legitimate. However, the fake check is eventually rejected by the bank.
Tip: If you win a prize, you do not have to pay for it and, just like you cannot win the lottery if you didn’t buy a ticket, you cannot win a sweepstakes if you did not enter one.
Health Insurance Fraud: Scammers pose as insurance representatives in order to acquire sensitive personal information (such as medical record numbers). Bogus services are then provided at makeshift mobile clinics for a small fee. Then scammers use the victim’s personal information to bill the insurance company and pocket any money.
Tip: Be aware that sensitive information should be safeguarded. Use caution when providing your medical record numbers and make sure you provide this information only to legitimate health care professionals.
If you suspect that you have been a victim of a scam, don’t be afraid or embarrassed to talk about it. Telling your story could help someone else avoid becoming a target. Keep your local police department number, the local Adult Protection Services number, or even contact the local news station to share your story: abc7news.com/7onyourside/
Trust is a powerful and valuable commodity. We all want to believe that people are trustworthy, honest, and have our best interests at heart. While most people are good and will now cheat or take advantage of others; there are a few who take unfair advantage of others, if given the opportunity. Scammers are individuals who cheat, steal, and take advantage of people whom they consider an easy target. These smooth-talking swindlers cheat and steal from innocent, unsuspecting people.
Know how to protect yourself from scammers by recognizing a possible scam when you see it. Below is a list of some of the most common scams and how to avoid becoming a scam victim.
Telemarketing: Perhaps the most common scheme; scammers use fake telemarketing calls to prey on older or homebound adults. Seniors are at a higher risk, because they are more familiar and comfortable with shopping over the phone.
Tip: Do not give out your Social Security Number or credit cards information unless you are sure the the party calling is representing a legitimate business. If necessary, seek further information, such as their company’s main number and verify that by looking the business up online, then call them back at that number, not the one they may have called you from. Consider putting your name and number on the National Do Not Call list. This is a free service and may stop telemarketers from contacting you. To do this, visit donotcall.gov or call 1 (888) 382-1222.
Email Scams: Email messages may appear to be from a legitimate company or institution, asking targets to “update” or “verify” their personal information, or saying that an account has been deactivated. For instance, an email that appears to be from the IRS about a tax refund.
Tip: The IRS will mail you official documents, and normally will not e-mail you to ask for personal information. If you receive an email from your bank or credit card company saying there is an issue with your account, do not click on any links or call any telephone numbers included in the email. Instead, find the main number for them yourself–generally found on the back of your bank or credit card–and verify with them that there is an issue.
Sweepstakes & Lottery Scams: Scammers inform their targets that they have won a lottery or sweepstakes, but need to make some sort of payment to access the prize money. The target mails a check, which is cashed. The target is sent a check, making it seem legitimate. However, the fake check is eventually rejected by the bank.
Tip: If you win a prize, you do not have to pay for it and, just like you cannot win the lottery if you didn’t buy a ticket, you cannot win a sweepstakes if you did not enter one.
Health Insurance Fraud: Scammers pose as insurance representatives in order to acquire sensitive personal information (such as medical record numbers). Bogus services are then provided at makeshift mobile clinics for a small fee. Then scammers use the victim’s personal information to bill the insurance company and pocket any money.
Tip: Be aware that sensitive information should be safeguarded. Use caution when providing your medical record numbers and make sure you provide this information only to legitimate health care professionals.
If you suspect that you have been a victim of a scam, don’t be afraid or embarrassed to talk about it. Telling your story could help someone else avoid becoming a target. Keep your local police department number, the local Adult Protection Services number, or even contact the local news station to share your story: abc7news.com/7onyourside/