Scam Artists Are Using the 2023 COLA to Target Seniors

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Scam artists will take any opportunity to find new victims to target, often keeping a close eye on the news to see what new programs or benefits could provide a way to steal. From student loan forgiveness scams to fake IRS calls, fraudsters will exploit any chance to make a profit.

How the 2023 COLA Scam Works

One of the latest developments these scammers are watching closely is the 2023 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). According to an NBC affiliate station in Baton Rouge, the 8.7 percent increase has caused scammers to try to take advantage.

“They can manipulate the system. So, they can actually show Social Security or whatever agency they want you to think, they show up on your caller ID,” notes Carmen Million, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau.

If you receive a call, text, or email from someone claiming to be a representative of Social Security, Medicare, or another agency claiming to be offering you a COLA-related benefit, never give them any personal information. Instead, hang up and contact the agency directly at their official telephone number—or report the scammer to the FTC, who can then investigate.

The Seniors Center Blog

The Seniors Center Blog is here to help retirees stay safe from scams, and we’re constantly updating our site with news on ways that scammers might target people like you. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook today for more updates on scams and other news in the senior community.

Don’t Fall for This Social Security Scam Letter

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Your Social Security number (SSN) is a vital part of protecting your personal and financial information. It’s used for everything from filing taxes to opening a bank account. Unfortunately, scammers are using it for their own gain by preying on unsuspecting seniors.

How the Social Security Scam Letter Works

How does this scam work? According to an NBC affiliate station, you’ll receive a letter that claims to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA). It’ll claim that your SSN is being suspended because of suspected identity theft. The letter will go on to claim that your SSN is part of a $14 million dollar fraud investigation and will require you to call a phone number in order to reactivate it.

Of course, this is all lies.

The real Social Security Administration may contact you by letter, but they won’t ask for your personal information or threaten to suspend your SSN—and they’ll know your name. If you look closely at this Social Security scam letter, you’ll notice:

  • It doesn’t address you by name
  • The date isn’t in American format

And, of course, your Social Security number cannot be suspended—it’s yours for life.

The Seniors Center

If you receive one of these letters, DON’T call the number or provide any personal information. Keep your information safe by knowing the signs of a scam and never giving away your SSN. The Seniors Center Blog is here to help you stay informed and alert. Discover more tips and resources on our website, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest information.

Illegal Call Center Scams: What You Need to Know

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Billions of dollars have been lost to scams just over the past two years, and seniors are often a target for scam artists. One scam that is particularly common that you should be aware of is illegal call centers.

Illegal call centers are fraudulent telemarketing organizations that target seniors with promises of discounted products and services, such as medical alert systems or vacation packages.

Yahoo! reports that call centers and phishing groups in India often use illegal tactics to scam people out of their money, such as lying about the company’s location or name, guaranteeing products and services that don’t exist, and having representatives threaten or pressure callers into making purchases.

Seniors should be aware of warning signs that they may be dealing with an illegal call center. These signs include aggressive sales tactics, misrepresentation of products and services, and requests for payment over the phone or by a wire transfer.

Remember—if you ever feel uncomfortable or intimidated by a caller, it’s best to hang up.

It’s important to protect yourself and your family by staying informed about illegal call centers and common scams. If you or a loved one have been targeted by an illegal call center, report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can also research the company online and contact your state attorney general’s office for more information.

The Seniors Center Blog is here to offer advice on dealing with scams and resources on how to stay safe. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook if you’d like to stay up to date on the latest scam alerts and safety tips. Together, we can help protect our community from scams.

The Social Security Administration Is Warning Seniors About Potential Scams

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The holidays are a time for giving, but unfortunately that also means it’s prime time for fraudsters to target unsuspecting seniors. Social Security Matters recently posted an article on how to protect yourself from imposter fraud during the holidays. It’s important that seniors stay informed and vigilant to ensure their hard-earned savings don’t end up in the hands of a scammer.

How Scam Artists Can Pose as Government Officials

Social Securit Matters reports that some criminals may attempt to pose as government officials. They might call or email pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA), IRS, or other federal agency. These scammers will often try to convince seniors that they are entitled to a tax refund or other payment, but must first provide personal information in order to receive it.

What Seniors Can Do To Stay Safe

The best way for seniors to protect themselves from imposter fraud is to ignore suspicious emails and calls. The SSA, IRS, and other government agencies will never contact you to ask for personal information or for money to be sent in the form of gift cards. These government agencies will send a letter via the mail instead.

The Seniors Center Blog is here to keep seniors informed and safe during the holidays. Be sure to check out our website for more helpful tips and resources. And follow us on Twitter and Facebook to stay up-to-date!

Scams by the Numbers—Here’s How Seniors Have Been Affected

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Older Americans are often the targets of fraud and abuse by family members, caregivers, strangers, and even business entities. In 2021 alone, the money lost to elder fraud reached $1.7 billion. Understanding the numbers behind the fraud can help seniors protect themselves and their assets.

Breaking Down Elder Fraud Statistics

According to The Motley Fool, losses have nearly doubled from 2019 to 2021. With 97,371 victims in 2021, this indicates that it is more important than ever for seniors to protect their finances.

The average amount lost by victims of senior scams in 2021 was $18,246, but many seniors lost more than $100,000. The most common type of scam that targeted seniors was confidence fraud, which involves tricking seniors into wiring money to a scammer who poses as someone they can trust. Other types of scams included prize offers, government imposter fraud, and investment fraud.

Financial abuse also poses a significant threat to seniors. Loved ones and caregivers may take advantage of seniors’ physical or emotional vulnerability to gain access to their accounts and assets. Financial abuse, while not subject to the same tracking that fraud and scams are, has likely been responsible for billions in losses.

The Seniors Center: Helping Seniors Stay Safe

The Seniors Center is here to help. Through our recent posts, we’re educating older Americans about the forms of fraud that they’re most likely to see. Keep up with us on Twitter and Facebook so you never miss a post!

Don’t Let Scams Ruin Your Holidays—Take This Quiz to Test Your Knowledge

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Did you know that scams can spike during the holidays?

During the holiday season, when people are feeling generous and looking for ways to help others, scammers can take advantage of this kind of generosity. As many as three-quarters of Americans have been targeted by a scam that’s connected to the holidays at some point.

These scams can include online fraud, fake charities, and even identity theft. It’s important to stay vigilant and protect yourself from these kinds of predatory activities.

How to Spot Holiday Scams

Unknown numbers, gift cards that have been tampered with, and shady charities are some of the biggest red flags associated with holiday scams. However, knowing what to look out for can be difficult, especially with the prevalence of online scams.

AARP has put together a helpful online quiz that will test your knowledge of holiday scams. The quiz covers topics like phishing, check fraud, and other factors that can help you identify potential disasters before they have a chance to affect you.

For example, can you always trust ads for items you see on social media? Will retailers like Amazon ever ask for your login info over the phone? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you stay safe from scams during the holidays.

The Seniors Center Blog Can Help You Stay Safe for the Holidays

We hope you enjoy this holiday season—and stay vigilant against scams! At The Seniors Center, you’ll find helpful advice on how to stay safe. From avoiding impostor fraud to recognizing questionable charities, our blog has all the info you need to stay safe during the holidays.

Learn more by following us on Twitter and Facebook today!

Romance Scammers Targeting Seniors Through Social Media

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For seniors, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, social media has been a lifeline. Many older Americans enjoy connecting with friends and family on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media sites. However, there can be hidden dangers lurking on social media. For some seniors, these dangers come in the form of vicious romance scams.

What Are Romance Scams?

Romance scams, also known as dating scams, totaled more than $300 million last year, according to USA Today. Much of these losses were for retirees who have been targeted on social media. The way these scams operate is that a scammer sends their target a friend request and attempts to strike up a friendship or romantic relationship. Then, they’ll move the conversation off of social media and begin texting or calling. Eventually, they will ask for money, possibly for an emergency. They’re likely to ask for a wire transfer or gift cards.

It can be difficult to sort out scammers from individuals who are truly looking for friendship. Senior citizens can stay safe by keeping conversations on social media and not giving out personal information. Research friend requests before accepting them by looking at their profiles. And if you feel suspicious, talk through your concerns with friends and family.

The Seniors Center

The Seniors Center Blog wants seniors to stay safe. Learn more about recent scams targeting seniors and how to avoid falling into a trap. And follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more updates—we’re one account you can trust!

Discover The Seniors Center’s mission and how you can get involved today.

This Holiday Season, Avoid Charity Scams

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Donating to charity this holiday season? Make sure you do your research first to avoid charity scams.

Charity scams are unfortunately common, especially during the holidays when people are feeling more generous. Scammers take advantage of this by posing as legitimate charities and asking for donations. They may even set up fake websites or social media accounts that look real.

Staying Safe from Charity Scams

According to AARP, you can take the following steps to avoid charity scams:

  • Research the charity before you donate. Make sure it’s a legitimate organization by checking out websites like the Better Business Bureau.
  • Ask about tax deductions. Legitimate charities will be able to provide information about tax deductions for your donation.
  • Hang up if you need to. If a caller is being pushy or aggressive, it’s a red flag. Just hang up and donate to a charity of your choice instead.
  • Watch for sneaky name changes. Some scammers will try to trick you by using a similar name to a legitimate charity. So be sure to double-check before you donate.

You can stay safe from charity scams this holiday season by doing your research and being aware of red flags. Don’t let scammers take advantage of your generosity—give to a charity of your choice instead. Follow The Seniors Center on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about common senior scams and how to avoid them.

Ways to Stay Protected from Guardianship Fraud and Abuse

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Guardianships are often put in place to help support and protect seniors who have advanced memory issues or other concerns that make independence possible. While these can be helpful for those who have loved ones in charge of the guardianships, there is also a possibility for guardianship fraud and abuse.

A recent piece by U.S. Representative Charlie Crist of Florida details some of the forms this fraud can take and ways that seniors can stay protected.

Since guardianships control finances, living arrangements, and medical decisions, having the wrong hands in charge can be disastrous for seniors. Guardianship fraud and abuse can involve taking funds from seniors, including their Social Security benefits and retirement savings.

A few ways to protect yourself or a loved one include:

  • Create power of attorney documents – These will ensure that only someone you trust can make important decisions for you.
  • Talk with a lawyer – Have a lawyer look over any important documents, like a living will.
  • Call on Congress to pass legislation – Ask you representatives to pass legislation protecting seniors.

Taking these steps can help you stay protected against guardianship fraud and abuse.

At The Seniors Center Blog, we’re helping seniors stay safe in retirement. Learn more about the scams that target retirees today—and follow The Seniors Center on Twitter and Facebook for more updates!

Hear a Nashville Senior’s Story About Scam Artists

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When you reach out to a financial advisor, you expect to be taken care of. But one Nashville senior was scammed out of thousands by someone she thought she could trust.

How This Senior Scam Worked

This woman’s senior scam story begins with a man handing out AARP information. According to WKRN.com, this man told a Nashville woman, Paula Gilmore, that he could help her with her finances and manage her money.

She believed him—he seemed credible. However, over the next 10 years, she handed him close to $230,000. But instead of investing it, he was pocketing it for himself.

According to Gilmore’s daughter, the man would open up her mail and even write checks from her own account to pass off as dividends. In reality, he was just cashing them and taking the money for himself.

Eventually, the FBI caught up to the scam artist. However, the damage was done.

Staying Safe from Fraud and Scams

Consult others before making any decisions about your finances, especially if someone you don’t know approaches you.

At The Seniors Center, we understand how important your financial security is. We’re working to help seniors stay aware of the latest scams so they can protect themselves. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook so you never miss a post!