Beware - Scams Targeting

Beware - Scams Targeting The Elderly

Six out of every 10 seniors report that they have been targeted by a fraud attempts annually. This was the conclusion of an unpublished report commissioned by the Justice Department a few years ago. The report also acknowledged that most victims of fraud or fraud attempts rarely report those attempts to the police.

Both East Palo Alto and Menlo Park report violent crimes against seniors, but do not report such crimes against seniors.

My personal experience has however been that even when reported, such

attempts are rarely investigated, particularly in resource strapped police departments.

I have received two calls that I know of recently, obvious attempts to gather my personal information. Both calls alleged that my Social Security number had “been suspected for fraudulent activities” and urged me “once you get this message to kindly call us back as soon as possible at the same number or press 1 to speak to our investigating officer.”

Around the same time, I received a letter, alleging that a person, named Mr. Geo Okelo, possibly related to me, died in 2010 in Canada, without leaving a will and that all attempts by his bank to locate relatives had been unsuccessful.

The letter purportedly came from a bank employee that had the responsibility to monitor the $9.2 million account. The employee, Mr. Daniel McFarland, offered to present me to the bank “Canada Trust” as the late Okelo’s next of kin and facilitate my claim to the balance. For his assistance, he indicated that funds would be shared between the two of us.

The Department of Justice study found that the primary mode of contact was by telephone although fraudsters also use the internet, mail and even person to person contact.

The AARP, in recognition of the growing threat from telephone and internet fraud, set up the Fraud Watch Network in 2013. To date, according to the AARP, 6,000 people call the Network’s toll-free helpline every month to report suspected scams.

“Our goal is to help people understand what a scam looks like,” says Kathy Stokes, the director of the Fraud Watch Network, “so if one comes along, they’ll be less likely to fall victim.”

The Fraud Watch Network’s toll-free helpline is 877-908-3360 and anyone can call to report a scam. Trained volunteers answer calls and provide advice on what to do next.

“Scams are like viruses,” Stokes says, “They are constantly evolving to become resistant to current remedies. So, the Fraud Watch Network keeps changing as well, to develop new ways to help you stay safe.”

Scam Types

1. Business Email Compromise 2. Celebrity Impostor Scams 3. Census Scams 4. Charity Scams 5. Credit Card Interest Rate Scam 6. Credit Repair Scams 7. Cruise Scams 8. Cryptocurrency Fraud 9. Debt Collection Scams 10. Debt Relief Scams 11. Dietary Supplement Scams 12. Disaster Scams 13. Email Extortion Scams 14. Fake Check Scams 15. Funeral Scams 16. Gift Card Scams 17. Government Grant Scams 18. Greeting Card Scams 19. Grandparent Scam 20. Health Fraud 21. Health Insurance Scams 22. Holiday Scams 23. Home Improvement Scams 24. Identity Theft 25. Impostor Scams 26. Investment Fraud 27. IRS Impostor Scam 28. Jury Duty Scams 29. Medical Equipment Scams 30. Medical Identity Theft 31. Medicare Card Scams 32. Medicare Fraud 33. Moving Scams 34. Nigerian Scams 35. Online Pharmacy Scams 36. Online Shopping Scams 37. Package Scams 38. Pet Scams 39. Phishing 40. Phone Scams

41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63.

Political Scams Public Wi-Fi Scams Ransomware Robocalls Romance Scams Social Media Scams Social Security Scams Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams Tax ID Theft Tax Preparation Scams Tech Support Scams The Pigeon Drop Time-Share Resale Scam Travel Scams ‘Update Account’ Scams Utility Scams Vacation Scams VA Pension Poaching Veterans Charity Scam Veterans Scams Weight-Loss Scams Work-at-Home Scams Spear-Phishing

Spear phishing is an e-mail act that targets a person or organization, seeking access to sensitive information. Spear phishing attempts are typically initiated by hackers and criminal perpetrators out for financial gain or valuable information.

IRS Scams (Courtesy Fremont Police Department) Scammers will call a taxpayer saying money is due and demand immediate payment via prepaid debit card, threatening arrest, deportation or loss of your driver’s license. If you have caller ID, the number may even show up as IRS. Callers threaten arrest if you don’t pay.

A variation of the IRS scam has the caller saying he is from the sheriff’s office, clerk of courts or other agency, threatening arrest if the target doesn’t pay for an infraction such as missing jury duty. The caller demands payment immediately, via wire transfer or a pre-paid card, which is a telltale sign of a scam.

Remember, the IRS does not use unsolicited email, text messages or any social media to discuss your personal tax issue. They will never demand immediate payment and they do not accept gift cards for payment. You should always check with the IRS before you pay any money.

The Pigeon Drop The con artist tells the individual that he/she has found a large sum of money and is willing to split it if the person will make a “good faith” payment by withdrawing funds from his/her bank account. Often, a second con artist is involved, posing as a lawyer, banker or some other trustworthy stranger.

Unfortunately, this scam is also done in person. The con artist approaches a senior in a parking lot and makes the same kind of claims. They’ll show the senior what appears to be large sums of cash and asks the senior to take them to a church so they can donate the money. A second scammer approaches, pretending to be a stranger. The two then work together to convince the senior to help them donate the money. They take the senior to his/her own bank, insist the senior withdraw funds to provide “good faith” money to prove he won’t take the money meant for the donation himself. The scammers then place all the money in a bag or tied bandana, leave it with the senior and then find a way to separate themselves from the senior. Secretly, the scammers swap out the bag or bandana and the remaining contains only shredded newspaper, not the senior’s good faith money.