Imagine getting an email from your panic- stricken granddaughter, who’s been in a serious car accident. She asks you to wire money, begging you not to tell her parents. What would you do? Most likely, anything necessary to help your grandchild.
The Grandparent Scam
Con artists know this and have taken advantage of that emotional response—even tracking down real-life details on Facebook about the families of potential victims to support their claims. Last year alone, this scam cost consumers $41 million.
But the “grandparent scam” is just one of many schemes to hit the unsuspecting. Crooks use email, phone calls and door-to- door advertising to get people to give up their money or personal information.
Older adults may especially be at risk, though fraud impacts people of all ages. People in their 60s, for example, filed fraud reports at nearly twice the rate of 20-somethings. The most common schemes targeting seniors are technical support scams, friend or business impostor scams, real estate offers and sweepstakes frauds.
In one crafty con, telemarketers told seniors they could get up to $10,000 in government or private grant money. The swindlers asked their victims for an upfront fee and then offered to increase the grant or get them the money faster if they’d pay additional fees.
The fraudsters bilked consumers out of millions of dollars before the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shut them down.
Another group of grifters used online ads, mailers and live events to sell a coaching program that promised to help people start their own online business and earn a large income. The scammers charged a $49 fee and then pressured the participants to buy pricey membership packages. Some victims lost more than $20,000.
Older adults have also been targeted for identity theft. In one hoax, scammers distrib- uted fliers to seniors, promising they’d receive money from the government if they completed the questionnaire. More than 25,000 people were tricked into giving up sensitive personal information.
How can you defend yourself against these cons? Experts offer these tips:
Protect your identity
Don’t give your Social Security number if something feels fishy; trust your gut. Shred documents containing personal information before throwing them away.
When a stranger calls, think twice
If a caller asks you to wire money or provide personal information over the phone, don’t take the request at face value. Scammers might pre- tend to be with the government, the police or a business. Hang up and call the organization directly to double-check (get the number from the official website). No government agency will ever ask you to wire money.
Don’t donate by phone
If someone representing a charity calls you for a donation, ask him or her to send you information by mail instead.
In a crisis, verify.
If a friend or family member calls, texts or emails for help, call the person back to confirm that the plea for aid truly came from him or her.
Have a code word set up with your loved ones or ask them a question only they would know the answer to!
If you believe a scammer has contacted you, report it to the FTC at 877-FTC-HELP or ftc.gov/complaint.
29 thoughts on “The Cheat is On: Protecting Yourself From Scams”
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
You actually make it seem so easy along with your presentation however
I to find this topic to be actually one thing which I believe I would by no means understand.
It sort of feels too complex and extremely wide for me.
I’m looking ahead in your subsequent publish, I will try to get the
cling of it! Escape rooms hub
Hello, I enjoy reading all of your article post.
I like to write a little comment to support you.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
There’s definately a great deal to find out about this topic. I like all of the points you’ve made.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Some legit sites might have this but different エロ 人形heights have different proportions so it is misleading.
one study found that almost half of young adults who experienced childhood sexual abuse never disclosed the abuse to anyone,and other studies have found even lower rates of disclosure.ラブドール 高級
We talked for a while, and I told him thatセックス ロボット I’d been looking to lose my virginity but hadn’t found anyone. His response was, ‘Well, there’s always me.
Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all of us you really realize what you are
speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Please additionally talk over with my
web site =). We will have a link trade agreement between us
they’re celebrated as studs.人形 えろWomen Get Worse Sex Than MenAs is generally the case when it comes to group or individual differences,
A male sex doll designed for gay men does represent a えろ 人形financial investment so ensure you don’t store it clothed or wearing accessories,
セックス ロボットor if a divorced mother denigrates and alienates her ex-husband.Left unresolved,
Our lifetime dimensions sensible intercourse dolls are equipped えろ 人形with top quality chrome steel skeleton, clinical-grade TPE and silicone physique and versatile limbs, enabling Bodily actions just like an actual woman.
recognized for its versatile and high-quality sex dolls,人形 えろ offers various finger options tailored to diverse customer preferences.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?