Elderwerks Senior Resource Directory 2025/2026

PREVENTING SCAMS & FRAUD

PREVENTING SCAMS & FRAUD

There’s nothing remotely funny about losing money. It’s especially hard to accept that the loss could have been prevented. Be smart, use your head and play it safe… If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is a scam – or most likely there is a catch. Listed below are examples of how scammers are trying to separate you from your life savings. Phone Scam: Just because they have your phone number and can call you by your first name, it does not mean they know you. Just because your phone’s Caller ID says that they are calling from a business that you know, it does not mean they represent a legitimate business or that they are employed with a legitimate company. Many scammers can manipulate the name and number that displays on your Caller ID (see Spoofing below). Therefore, ask for their phone number and tell them you will call them back after you verify what they are saying, offering or selling. Or ask them to mail you the information. Then look up their phone number on a search engine, such as Google, to see if anyone has reported that number as a scam. Spoofing: “Spoofing” is when a person changes the name shown on caller ID. Anyone can be whomever or whatever they want. If you are interested in what someone has to offer, there are a number of ways you can verify if the company they represent is legitimate. You can check with the Better Business Bureau or you can do an internet search. There a several “watchdog” organizations that will list scam companies and air peoples’ gripes. A company in good standing will give you time to think about an offer and not force you into an immediate decision. They should be able to send you the information in writing. Computer Scam: Scams over the internet are so rampant, there is no way to name all of them. The same with phone scams; if you are contacted with an offer, there are ways to verify the authenticity. You are pretty much guaranteed that it is a scam if you won any money or property; you are the long

lost heir of a hermit that lived or worked in some foreign country, the person is a King or Prince with millions of dollars he needs to send out of the country to protect, etc. Another one is an email from a friend, family member or acquaintance saying they’re out of the country on vacation. They’ll give you some sob story about losing their passport, their money or got robbed, etc. Don’t click on links in emails you receive. You don’t know where that link will be taking you or what virus you’re opening up, so type the website into your browser and you’ll be safe. A tell-tale sign that the email is or is not from your family or friend is by looking at the email’s “TO” part. Most scammers will have the correct beginning part of the person’s email, but the ending email address will be to their company. For example, Jane Doe’s email (Jane.Doe@email_address.com ) was hacked and the scammers sent an email from her as Jane.Doe@different_ email_address.com). Imposters Scam: In this scam the fraudster will contact an older person, maybe impersonating their grandchildren, a person of authority, a medical professional or an attorney, etc. They may describe an urgent situation or emergency that requires money to be sent immediately. The sense of urgency will play on your heart strings keeping you from thinking coherently. Tell them you will need to call them back. Then try contacting the person you feel they were impersonating to verify your doubts. Lottery/Sweepstakes/Prize Scam: Victims are informed through an unsolicited communication they have won a prize, a lottery or sweepstakes and are asked to send funds to cover insurance costs, taxes, or processing. Sometimes the fraudsters may even send an authentic-looking check as part of the “winnings”. The victim is asked to send a portion back to pay for taxes and/or fees. The fraudulent check will bounce, and the victim will be out of the money they paid and be held responsible for the bounced check.

Relationship Scam: This type of scam is where the fraudster creates some kind of personal relationship with their victim. It can be through the Internet, by phone, or in person. Once they’ve convinced you they care for you and are legit, they will ask you for money. They can do this using a number of reasons; maybe to cover a medical emergency, for travel, or a past-due bill, etc. They may even ask you for the use of your car, or even your house.

HELPFUL INFORMATION

• Never send money to someone you have not met in person.

• Don’t let anyone use your vehicle or home for their personal use.

• Never leave a website to continue a conversation through email. For example: a dating website, or a website people with things in common go to converse. • Beware of anyone who says they are from the USA, but are currently overseas. • No matter how real your relationship may feel - a red flag should immediately show if they start asking for money, items or financial information. • The requests may be small – at first. But, they may increase, and/ or the fraudster may become more demanding. Medical Alert Scam: You’ll get an unsolicited call saying you’re eligible for a free medical alert system or that your friend/family purchased one for you. The caller will then ask for your personal information which might include a bank account number, Medicare number, etc. Examples of specific typed of scams:

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