Don’t Get Scammed

Con artists often target the elderly

How to Avoid Con Artists

■ Don’t call to confirm you’ve won a prize or for more information. Contacting criminals makes it harder for them to be prosecuted.

■ Give to charities you know, like your church or humane society. Check out all others before donating. Scammers make up names that sound legitimate.

■ Be cautious of wording like this.

■ Don’t send money to anyone who says you’ve won something. If the prize is legitimate, no one will ask you for fees to claim it.

■ Don’t give your credit card number to anyone unless you called the company to make a purchase.

■ Don’t put personal information on entry forms, surveys or even raffle tickets. People sell this.

■ Beware of “government grant” awards, especially if you’re asked to pay an advance application or processing fee.

■ Be wary of scare tactics like “Help us save your social security or Medicare benefits.”

Worried about Medicare and Social Security going away? Interested in a bargain-priced luxury cruise? Eager to win a fabulous prize or participate in a risk-free investment plan? Beware! Criminals play on these universal emotions to swindle victims via direct mail, e-mail and phone—and they love the elderly.

“Seniors aren’t the only age group taken in by con artists, but dementia, depression and loneliness make many older people easy targets,” says Thomas Brandecker, M.D., geriatrician at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. Research shows that even in older people who manage their daily affairs well, the impact of age on the prefrontal cortex of the brain may impair their decision- making ability.

“Pennsylvania has a high percentage of senior citizens, so con artists target our state,” says Joyce O’Brien of the attorney general’s Elder Abuse Unit. “Scammers take advantage of older people’s sense of civic duty by using logos or names similar to law enforcement or government agencies. Or they count on the kindness of the elderly to respond to solicitations from bogus charities. Crooks even read the obituaries to contact grieving widows and make false claims.”

Wondering if a loved one has fallen victim to swindlers? Watch for stacks of sweepstakes offers and charity solicitations. Since it’s a delicate issue to talk about, Brandecker suggests using a news item about scams to open the subject. “If the situation is serious, ask others to talk with the victim, such as a doctor, clergyman, accountant or lawyer,” he says. “Don’t just take away their checkbook.”

Prevention is the best strategy. Follow these guidelines to stop swindlers in their tracks.

Want to Know More about protecting yourself and loved ones from fraud? To arrange a speaker or get a brochure or DVD from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Senior Crime Prevention University, call 610-402-CARE.

Published from Healthy You Magazine, September-October 2008

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