SCAM ALERT
As an injury attorney, I am very unlikely to be targeted in
a scam. But this is not true for my grandmother. Here are some current scams
that seem to target our seniors.
Obituary mining. In
what must a new low, scammers use all the information in the obituaries to
assert to the widow or widower that their newly-deceased owed them some money.
Sometimes, it is alleged to be a gambling debt that might smear the reputation
of the beloved deceased. They hope that the confused and grieving widow might
pay the “debt” to avoid embarrassment or a public lawsuit.
Phone calls. Due to charming old-fashioned thoughts of
courtesy, and loneliness, seniors make many more purchases over the phone than
other age groups.
The worst thing, is that if you fall for one of these, you
get added to the unflattering database known as the “sucker list.” Sometimes, new fakers then even call and
offer to get the money back from the old fakers! They often use embarrassment
as a weapon. If you feel you are getting
scammed, do not be ashamed in front of your kids or grandkids. Let them help
you.
Sometimes, the phone calls allege a relative is in trouble
and takes advantage of the willingness of the victim to help. Often, charity
scams target the elderly.
It has been widely reported that over 90% elder abuse is
committed by a senior adult’s own family members like children, grandchildren,
nieces and nephews.
The Nigerian scam, in one form or another, has it hit our
seniors hard. And no, you did not win the Canadian lottery. Sometimes, seniors
will actually receive a real check that they then write “tax money” or “fees”
from to the lottery. Days later the original check bounces and they have your
money.
Be careful out there.
