Senior Con Games

Five Senior Scams to Watch For

Following, from the National Association of Triads, Inc., an 18-year-old organization that is part of the National Sheriffs’ Association, and Home Instead Senior Care, are the top senior scams and details about how they work:

1. Prizes and sweepstakes scams. Seniors are told they’ve won a sweepstakes and all they need to do is send a check to cover the taxes. Or, they receive a fake check for $5,000 and are encouraged to deposit the money and send back $2,000 to cover the taxes. By the time it’s determined that these checks, which often come from an overseas bank, are worthless, the senior has lost his or her money. Magazine sale scams, where seniors order magazine subscriptions that never show up, also are prevalent.

2. Home improvement frauds. Criminals will knock on a senior’s door offering to fix their driveway, then paint it black and charge the senior $3,000. Or seniors are asked to pay up front to have their roof fixed never to see their alleged repairman again. One 81-year-old woman who was caring for her husband with Alzheimer’s disease paid a criminal $800,000 and drained her savings to have repairs done on her home, according to the National Association of Triads, Inc.

3. Phishing schemes. Seniors receive a call from someone claiming to represent a bank or other reputable financial institution. They’re warned that their financial information or credit card has been compromised and are asked to verify their bank account number or call an 800 number where they’re asked for their personal financial information.

4. Internet fraud. Seniors, unfamiliar with how to use the Internet, can unwittingly give their credit card number to a scammer.

5. Identity theft. Seniors who give up their birth date and Social Security number can open up their entire financial history to a thief.