Scams
have been around ever since a con-artist in the Middle Ages tried to sell a pig
in a poke. But with the advances in communication through the Internet and
social media, today’s scams are more common and sophisticated. And because
older adults may not be as aware of the threats and how to prevent them; and
yet are thought to have significant financial resources, they are a prime
target.
Below
is a quick listing of the top 10 financial scams collected by the National
Council on Aging. See if you have been the target of any of these scams.
1.)
Fraudulent anti-aging products - what we pay to look 40 again! 2.) Internet
fraud - emails to “update” or “verify” your personal information. 3.) Investment
schemes - from pyramid schemes to the Nigerian prince scam. 4.) Homeowner/reverse
mortgage scams. 5.) Counterfeit
prescription drugs on the Internet – lose your money and harm your health at
the same time. 6.) Sweepstakes and lottery scams – there is no free lunch. 7.)
Funeral & cemetery scams - scammers read obituaries and call the grieving spouse
claiming the deceased had an outstanding debt with them. 8.) The grandparent
scam - starts with “Hi Grandma, do you know who this is?” and then the caller asks
for money.
And two of the more prominent scams.
9.) The Telemarketing/phone
charity scams. If you are unsure of a charity, you can check how it is rated by
Charity Navigator: an online site that reviews non-profits. And do not follow
any links within the email or open any attachments particularly if they claim
to contain pictures of a tragedy. These attachments may contain viruses.
10.)
Medicare scams. Since we are of that certain age, Medicare is a common source
for many scams targeting older adults. In one scam, the caller says your insurance
company owes you a refund and they need your bank account number and Social
Security number to deposit it.
A
more recent scam focuses on the new ID card all Medicare recipients will
receive sometime between April 2018 and April 2019. The Federal Trade
Commission is warning Medicare recipients that if someone calls to confirm your
personal information on the card, or says you must pay a fee to receive the new
card, it's a scam.
Be
aware of how to protect yourself from these hucksters who want to separate you
from your money. And when you do want to give your money away, find a local non-profit.
There are many who need the financial help.
During
the month of February, the Center is planning several special events highlighting
the Center’s role of “enriching the community by sharing and caring”. One of
those events is a special International Chicken Dinner prepared by Rick Lebowitz
with assistance from the Baldwin Saloon. It will be held at the Center on
Friday, February 9th from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. You can purchase your
tickets at the Center, but only 200 tickets will be sold at $20 a piece so you
should purchase your tickets soon. Because of our generous sponsor, The Springs
at Mill Creek, every penny of the ticket sales will go to support the Center.
Maybe
it was just because I dated a theater major when I attended Purdue University that
I knew the answer to last week’s question. But the French actor and mime who
performed all over the world to spread the “art of silence” was Marcel Marceau.
(The only correct answer I received was from Jess Birge, who may or may not
have dated a theater major, but is this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.)
This week’s
“Remember When” question is about the ultimate con film which was released in
1973 and won seven Oscars including Best Picture. What was the name of the
movie set in September 1936 that told the story of two con-artists involved in
a complicated plot to con a mob boss? Email your answer to
www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or send it with a
recording of the Scott Joplin melody “The Entertainer”.
Well,
it’s been another week, listening to the conversations in my head. Until we
meet again, it’s not the first step that’s the most important, it’s the next
step.
“Cats
have a scam going - you buy the food, they eat the food, they go away; that's
the deal.” Eddie Izzard
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