Use these tips to thwart scammers

DEAR HELOISE >> It’s

right about this time of year that scammers start targeting elderly people with various schemes to cheat people out of their savings. They might contact you in-person or by telephone, email or letter.

If they contact you by letter, you will most likely see what looks like an official letterhead from the Office of the Inspector General. Or it might say that they’re from another government agency such as the Federal Trade Commission. Look for misspellings, bad grammar or a request to click on a link or website that does not have “Ssa.gov” in the address. These are sure signs that you’re working with a scammer.

If they call on you inperson, they might even have a badge that looks official, but under no circumstances should you let them in your home. If you are contacted through social media and they claim to be from Social Security, it’s a lie. Their agents don’t do that.

Their favorite way of contacting people is usually by telephone, and their goal is to scare you and get you to hand over money and financial information that can help them steal from you. Hang up on this phony caller!

You’ll probably be told that there is a problem with your Social Security account or that you’ve somehow managed to win a prize. You could be directed to another phone number or website, but don’t call their phone number or click on the link provided.

Here are some other tactics scammers use:

1. They might threaten you about getting or taking some kind of legal action. Ignore it. It’s a lie.

2. They say that they will suspend your Social Security number, and you won’t get paid. This is another lie.

3. They usually pressure you to pay immediately. Ignore it!

4. They’ll tell you that they’ll seize your bank accounts.

5. They always seem to demand secrecy.

6. They strongly suggest moving your money to a protected and safe bank account.

If a scammer calls you, report this and any other scam to the Office of the Inspector General at OIG. Ssa.gov/report.

— John M., Arlington, Virginia

DEAR HELOISE >> So many women believe that they need $100 creams to lather on their faces to look good. If you live a fairly healthy life, eat properly, don’t sunbathe or visit tanning salons, and don’t smoke or drink alcohol except in moderation, you’ve taken the first steps toward having beautiful skin. However, there are a few other things that you can do to help your beauty routine:

First up are lemons! Chop up parsley with 2 drops of fresh lemon juice and add 1 tablespoon of water. Place these in an ice cube tray and freeze. When you have a pimple that is beginning to swell, place your parsley ice cube on top of the pimple to reduce the redness and swelling. You can also use fresh lemon juice to help reduce and possibly eliminate the blemish.

— Lucy L., Hollywood

Write to Heloise at P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; Fax 210-HELOISE; or email Heloise@heloise.com.