We got a flyer in the mail from AARP about a Fraud Watch seminar that they were offering for free. I love the word FREE.
It was a little ironic because one of the things AARP warns you about is that not much is free. If they offer you free dinners or whatever just to learn about something, there's usually a catch.
Well, we've been to other AARP seminars and knew they are just trying to keep seniors safe.
Yes, there was a lovely breakfast buffet!
There were also several excellent presenters that taught 320 seniors what to look out for. There's a lot of very nasty people out there finding infinite ways to scam others. Vulnerable seniors are a huge target.
We were also warned that often, it's family family members who have swindled or stolen from their parents and grandparents. The presenter asked if you'd be willing to turn your children or grandchildren in if you learned they were stealing from you.
Hawaii has a lot of seniors and there have been an incredible number of scams, swindles, robberies, etc. against them.
Some things we learned:
* The IRS will not call you asking for information such as your social security number.
* Medicare will not pay for genetic testing unless your personal physician who you actually go to authorizes it.
* Do not give out your Medicare number to anyone except your doctor.
* Do not give out personal information over the phone.
* Microsoft will not call you to help you with computer problems they say they've discovered. (We've had this call many, many times.)
* Do not click on links you don't absolutely trust.
* Beware of people you meet on Match.com or any of the romance sites if they start asking for money.
* Senate Fraud Hotline: (855) 303-9470
* AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline (to report a scam or for victim assistance) (877) 908-3360
* FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) FINRA can tell you if a broker or brokerage is registered. They can also tell you if who you're dealing with has had complaints or criminal action against them. brokercheck.finra.org or (800) 289-9999
A surprising thing we learned is that a person who is most vulnerable to getting investment scammed is someone who is male, 55-65 years of age, financially aware, educated and self reliant.
On the other hand a person who is most vulnerable to getting scammed by false lotteries or winnings is single, female, uneducated with low income.
One scam that I know of happened to a neighbor and friend. His grandson called to say he'd been in a terrible accident and was in the hospital, but couldn't pay the bill. He didn't want his mother to know but he needed some cash badly. He said he didn't sound like himself because his face was injured. He asked his grandfather to go to the Western Union and send him $5,000 right away. Our friend actually went down to send the money, but an alert manager asked him to call his grandson first. His shocked grandson answered the call and said he was never in an accident.
We were told at the seminar that this is a very common scam and has been happening around the state.
One of the important things they advised us to do was to prepare ahead of time and learn to say NO.
Needless to say there were many, many scams they warned us about. I can't even remember all of them now in order to blog about it. However, I am now prepared to say NO.
It was a little ironic because one of the things AARP warns you about is that not much is free. If they offer you free dinners or whatever just to learn about something, there's usually a catch.
Well, we've been to other AARP seminars and knew they are just trying to keep seniors safe.
Yes, there was a lovely breakfast buffet!
There were also several excellent presenters that taught 320 seniors what to look out for. There's a lot of very nasty people out there finding infinite ways to scam others. Vulnerable seniors are a huge target.
We were also warned that often, it's family family members who have swindled or stolen from their parents and grandparents. The presenter asked if you'd be willing to turn your children or grandchildren in if you learned they were stealing from you.
Hawaii has a lot of seniors and there have been an incredible number of scams, swindles, robberies, etc. against them.
Some things we learned:
* The IRS will not call you asking for information such as your social security number.
* Medicare will not pay for genetic testing unless your personal physician who you actually go to authorizes it.
* Do not give out your Medicare number to anyone except your doctor.
* Do not give out personal information over the phone.
* Microsoft will not call you to help you with computer problems they say they've discovered. (We've had this call many, many times.)
* Do not click on links you don't absolutely trust.
* Beware of people you meet on Match.com or any of the romance sites if they start asking for money.
* Senate Fraud Hotline: (855) 303-9470
* AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline (to report a scam or for victim assistance) (877) 908-3360
* FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) FINRA can tell you if a broker or brokerage is registered. They can also tell you if who you're dealing with has had complaints or criminal action against them. brokercheck.finra.org or (800) 289-9999
A surprising thing we learned is that a person who is most vulnerable to getting investment scammed is someone who is male, 55-65 years of age, financially aware, educated and self reliant.
On the other hand a person who is most vulnerable to getting scammed by false lotteries or winnings is single, female, uneducated with low income.
One scam that I know of happened to a neighbor and friend. His grandson called to say he'd been in a terrible accident and was in the hospital, but couldn't pay the bill. He didn't want his mother to know but he needed some cash badly. He said he didn't sound like himself because his face was injured. He asked his grandfather to go to the Western Union and send him $5,000 right away. Our friend actually went down to send the money, but an alert manager asked him to call his grandson first. His shocked grandson answered the call and said he was never in an accident.
We were told at the seminar that this is a very common scam and has been happening around the state.
One of the important things they advised us to do was to prepare ahead of time and learn to say NO.
Needless to say there were many, many scams they warned us about. I can't even remember all of them now in order to blog about it. However, I am now prepared to say NO.
Thanks for sharing this great advice.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminders. It is scary the lengths the criminals go to. I am so cynical that I would probably slam the door in the face of Publishers Clearing house balloons and cameras. Of course someone would have had to enter me for that to happen.
ReplyDeleteIt really is shameful what some people will do, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI love drawing out the Microsoft twits. I string them along. tee hee
The assumption of theirs is the west has lots of money and can afford to give them some. sigh.
It is so sad to me that people pray on those 55 and older. Sick humans these days! Annster's Domain
ReplyDeleteI start from the logical premise.... Older people are targets. For scams, among other things.
ReplyDeleteAnd then, use common sense.
Do not click on _anything_ you do not recognize.
Have answering machine and use it, on telephone. Have it set to few rings. Do not answer _any_ phone call, unless the caller talks, and you _know_ who they are.
Simplest, let all calls go to the answering machine. Alert family/doctors offices/etc. that you do this regularly. So leave a message.
Never answer the door, without knowing who is there, and without knowing that person, very well.
Don't *wave your purse* around, just asking for someone to cut the strap.
Do not show much cash, ever.
Common sense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, I love FREE seminars - especially if they feed me. I didn't get this one. Oh well, thank you for sharing what you learned!
ReplyDeleteBlessings.......
ReplyDeleteThey are correct......there is always a catch.
glad you found it informative.
This is wonderful advice. Fortunately I have a husband who is suspicious of everything, and he's taught me well. I am so glad to know there are people out there willing to help out unsuspecting seniors like the one you described. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe have caller ID. We don't answer callers who we don't know and make people leave a message.
ReplyDeleteThey're evil people everywhere.
ReplyDeleteWe of course get all the scam calls all the time. We usually don’t answer, based on caller ID, but occasionally when you pick up the phone out of curiosity you can get one of many of these. Tom almost got caught in a Microsoft one but when they ask for several hundred dollars and I was kind of listeningin, I said whoa!
ReplyDeleteI do hate it that we have to be so suspicious and jaded about everything now.
I've been contacted by them all. I no longer answer my fun unless a known name comes up. And now the scammers have ways to use a contact list. Why can't they use their expertise for good in the world?
ReplyDelete