TIPS FOR SENIORS
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Older individuals are often targeted by scam artists for a number of reasons.  First, mature adults are more likely to have money, property, savings, and investments. They are also simply more likely to be at home to receive phone solicitation.  Perhaps most importantly, seniors were raised during a different societal climate, taught to respect authority and trust your neighbor.  This unsuspicious nature, coupled with loneliness that some seniors experience, is often enough to make older American easier targets for fraud.

BE CAUTIOUS IF:

• The caller tries to pressure you into an immediate decision.

• The caller asks for your social security number.

• The caller asks for your credit card number when you are not buying anything.

• The company asks for cash.

• You're told you've won a prize, but you have to pay first.

• The caller asks for a donation but can't give you details about the charity, what it does, or how the money will be used.

• The caller insists that you send your payment by private courier. Also be cautious if the caller asks for you to wire money or wants your bank account number to "transfer the money directly."

• The agency offers to repair your credit, issue you a credit card, or recover lost money for a up-front fee.

• The company calls you repeatedly even after you've asked them not to call you or have asked to be placed on their "do not call list."  

If you are interested in what the caller or salesman has to offer, request their name, phone number and address so that you may think about the offer and call them back.  If they refuse to give this information to you, this is a indicator of fraud.

Elders need to know that illegal telemarketing is a crime and that fraudulent telemarketers are criminals, no matter how friendly, polite, or professional they appear to be. They need to understand that it is okay to hang up on insistent, rude, or fraudulent callers.  If loneliness is an issue, seniors should seek contacts in their community either through religious or social organizations such as churches, synagogues, or agencies such as retirement centers, AARP or TRIAD.