Protecting Senior Citizens

Fraud is rampant among the elderly. This is an unfortunate circumstance but let’s face it, there are a lot of crooks and Con Artists out there. Now I admit everyone gets scammed sometime in their life me included. However, people in their later years are the most vulnerable. Here’s a sad statistic. More than 30% of fraud cases which are reported every year are done by Telemarketers. More than 4 million dollars were bilked form citizens over 55 years of age just last year. Why does this happen?

1) First of all, many older people seem to want to trust the person they are dealing with and rightfully so. They think others will be doing the same.

2)Many seniors can’t hear very well and it’s easy to be confused as to what it is they are being asked to sign.

3)Con Artists also realize that as a group Seniors have already accrued a lifetime of money saved and can probably afford the product.

4)The fear factor. Many products pitched to them are about prolonging their life or have benefits in their health. They are given false hope this medicine or that medicine will work for their medical condition. They buy on hope.

5)Shame!! Many elderly will never even tell the police or their family they have been ripped off.

6)Who do you call? A great number don’t know who to call or report the scam to in the first place.

7)Alzheimer’s is certainly figured in. Loss of memory is the Seniors Achilles heel. After buying many cannot remember even purchasing the product.

8)Seniors should have all monies due them such as Social Security, Annuities and Pension Plans, deposited directly into their bank of choice.

9)Anyone can Register with the Federal Government’s “Do NOT Call Registry” which will drastically cut down the number of Telemarketers calling them. The number to call is – 1-888-382-1222.

Here are some of the best know Scams to watch out for:

1)Medical Equipment which is linked many times to Medicare fraud. There are some Con Artist who will offer a FREE wheelchair or some other medical equipment and fake the doctors’ signature as approved and bill the Medicare for the equipment. Therefore watch out for anything and read between the lines.

2)Medicare fake cards: These cards are often offered at a discount. Many will ask for more ID than needed such as your IRS tax form, Bank account etc: This is never necessary to provide. No one can solicit Medicare cards to your home. They also cannot ask you on a phone call. Both are illegal. If you have any reservations whether you are doing the right thing or have any suspicions just call this number: Medicare directly at 1-800-633-4227.

3)Lotteries: This is by far one of the largest scams all over the world. I’m sure by now you have received a phone call from someone entering you in some lottery. They come from England, Germany, Africa and the USA. Then guess what? YOU HAVE JUST WON!!! WOW!!! There are millions just waiting for you. All you need to do is send in $49.00 or some fee to do the paperwork. You are out the money you sent because the Lottery never existed in the first place. Again they have built up your hope only to have it drowned in reality. No lottery will send you an email nor ask for any fees upfront.

4)The Nigerian ex-King: Here is where you get an email from a supposed ex-King who got millions of dollars from his government before he left and is sitting in some bank outside the USA. All you need to do is give them all your Bank information and other proof they ask for. They will promise to meet you in Switzerland to finalize the deal. However, no one will ever show up and they will then clean out your Bank account. Be warned ahead of time.

5)Credit Reports: Many emails are sent proclaiming a free report on your credit. The problem is that you must pay a fee to actually receive the report. There is a Government website where you can get it free anyway.

6)Jury Duty Scam: There are a number of people that go to homes pretending to be employed by different courts. They have a paper which says you must report for Jury Duty. They then will ask for your Social Security number and other ID. Some will even ask for bank numbers. They might threaten you with a fine if you refuse.

7)Internet Scams: Unfortunately many Internet Websites are fake. They will offer they will offer programs that will make you rich in a hurry. The facts are they are too good to be true. Most are abject failures and will only take your money.

Here are some contacts that will help you:

Center for Medicare & Medicaid

7500 Security Boulevard

Baltimore, Maryland 21244

1-800-633-4227

www.medicare.com

Federal Bureau of Investigation

J. Edgar Hoover Building

935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20535-0001

1-202-324-3000

www.fbi.com