Stop scams that prey on the elderly
Pennsylvanians of all ages, and increasingly the elderly, lose millions of dollars to scammers each year.
Pennsylvania residents of all ages lose millions of dollars to scammers each year, but this is an increasing problem for the elderly, who generally have more to lose than millennials.
The call goes something like this:
“Hello, grandma, it’s me, Joey. Yes, it’s really Joey. I have to talk low, and I’m sick, so I sound funny.
“Please don’t tell Mom or Dad, but I’ve been arrested, and I need your help. Please, please don’t tell anyone. I just need your help right away!
“I need you to wire me some money, so I don’t have to go to jail! Please grandma, do it right away!”
What grandparent wouldn’t rush to help their grandchild in trouble?
And if the kid seems afraid or panicked, emotions and protective impulses take over and natural skepticism is pushed aside.
Some grandparents have wired thousands of dollars into the ether to try to rescue a grandchild in distress.
Others have gone to Walmart or Kmart or Target and bought thousands of dollars in gift cards to mail off into the great unknown.
Don’t think it couldn’t happen to you.
It could. It’s happened to thousands of people.
And while the scamsters prey most on the elderly, every one of us is at risk.
The Federal Trade Commission recently released a report showing even millennials can fall victim to fraud.
In fact, they are more likely to be the subjects of fraud than people over 70 years of age.
Pennsylvania residents of all ages lose millions of dollars to scammers each year, but law enforcement officials will tell you this is an increasing problem for the elderly, who generally have more to lose than millennials.
The top scam now involves an officious caller claiming to be from the IRS and demanding payment of back taxes — now. He even threatens arrest if payment isn’t made immediately over the phone.
There’s also the Social Security phone scam and people claiming to be calling on behalf of police and firemen. The one sign of a scam: They want money — now.
People throughout the country are being targeted, including thousands right here in Pennsylvania. And people often are so embarrassed to be victims of a scam, they don’t even bother to report it.
The Attorney General’s office is doing its part to keep getting the word out about scams and is hosting scam prevention forums.
The discussion will focus on scams associated with charitable contributions, estate planning, family emergencies, home improvement, power of attorney, sweepstakes, account verification, Medicare cards, IRS, checks and money orders.
They are to be applauded for organizing such events to speak directly to those most likely to be targeted.
“Scams have become more prevalent than ever,” said Hershey, “so we must learn how to prevent these scams and protect ourselves from those who wish to take advantage of us and our finances.
“We also need to talk to our loved ones to be sure that they know the red flags commonly associated with scams.”
Hershey is right. It’s incumbent upon all of us to do more to help educate and protect seniors from scams.
The Attorney General’s office has started a text alert to notify people as soon as possible about any new scams and to keep reminding them about the old ones that continue to break through our defenses. — Harrisburg Patriot News, The Associated Press