STOP SENIOR SCAMS: Learn how to spot and avoid fraud

What to do if you are scammed

If you are an older Philadelphian who believes you have been scammed, contact PCA’s Helpline at 215-765-9040 for assistance.

215-545-5728.”

By Jeremy Rodriguez

Scammers target people of all ages including older adults.

Nolan Lawrence, director of the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) Helpline, warns that scammers typically try to target a “vulnerable population” by posing as an agency or business that potential victims already use for services. Lawrence noted that there are a number of particular organizations that scammers pretend to represent, such as AARP, the IRS, the U.S. Postal Service and Social Security.

“I’ve seen images of materials that scammers send, and some of them look really good. Some almost mirror the organization’s actual website,” Lawrence said. “In the case of AARP, scammers pretend to be from the organization to get people to send a lot more money than what an actual AARP membership costs. That’s pretty much the motive of most scams. They’re trying to get a significant amount of money for something that otherwise wouldn’t cost much.”

Additionally, there are some scams that target non-English-speaking individuals in Philadelphia. “Not only are they trying to get money, but they do this by taking advantage of any language barrier,” Lawrence said. “They may pretend to be immigration services or the government, basically saying, ‘If you don’t pay us, we’re going to send you back to your native country.’ Those calls can be very distressing.”

Scammers target older adults

Older adults are often targeted by scammers due to “a perceived sense of vulnerability,” said Dan Milloy, outreach and engagement supervisor for CARIE (Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of Elders), which provides assistance and resources to older adults and their caregivers.

“Scammers perceive that older adults are going to be more vulnerable and willing to commit to a potential scam,” Milloy said. “They find older adults to be gullible, and they just make the assumption that most older adults have more money. Plus, with Medicare being the largest federal health care paying system, I think they figure things can slip through the cracks.”

The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) website offers several tips if you believe you were scammed. If you gave a scammer money, suggestions include immediately contacting the bank, credit card company or wire-transfer company to inform them of a fraudulent charge and to reverse or stop the transaction, if possible.

Additionally, older adults can visit IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877438-4338 to speak with the FTC directly and to put a recovery plan in action if they gave their social security number to a scammer. If you have a computer or cell phone which could potentially be hacked by scammers, it is advised that you update your security software. You may contact your cell phone and internet provider for more information.

Lastly, older adults should report scams to 1-877-382-4357 or online at ReportFraud.FTC.gov. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center is at IC3.gov.

Avoiding scams

“We recommend that older adults keep their information private,” Milloy said. “Treat your Medicare and Social Security information like it’s your credit card information. Don’t give that out over the phone. Lastly, anybody who thinks their information has been compromised and needs assistance should contact CARIE immediately at

Lawrence suggests that older adults monitor their accounts. Additionally, he noted, it’s usually a “giveaway” when scammers ask older adults to use payment methods that may be foreign to them, such as cryptocurrency, PayPal, Apple Pay, Venmo and Cash App.

A “cardinal recommendation” is to “take a beat and make sure that you can verify to whom you’re sending the money. Don’t send any money or provide any information until you can absolutely confirm the validity of the recipient,” Lawrence said. “It’s always good to do due diligence, and if you reach out to PCA’s Helpline, we can refer you to the help you need.”

Helplines for scam victims

If you believe you have been a victim of a scam, you can call the following numbers:

PCA Helpline: 215-765-9040

Philadelphia Attorney General’s Senior Assistance Helpline: 1-866623-2137 or email: seniors@ attorneygeneral.gov

CARIE LINE: 215-545-5728

Federal Trade Commission: 1-877–FTC–HELP (382–4357)

FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338)

Events

AUGUST 2023

AUGUST 2

ISRAELI SCOUT FRIENDSHIP CARAVAN

Enjoy the performing arts with the caravan’s unique blend of excitement & energy. 12:30 p.m. KleinLife: Northeast Philadelphia. 215698-7300 | Free

AUGUST 3

MILITARY HISTORY CLUB

Take part in a thoughtful, guided monthly discussion about military conflicts. This month’s topic will be the Civil War in Yemen. 11 a.m. Parkway Central Library. 215-686-5431 | Free

AUGUST 4

CHAIR YOGA

Enjoy a twist on traditional yoga, making it accessible for all ages & abilities. 3 p.m. Fumo Family Library. 215-685-1758 | Free

AUGUST 5

BRUNCH BINGO

Regular games with 5 $50 cash specials. Brunch provided. Door prizes. 1-4 p.m. St. Edmond Senior Community Center. 267-606-6891 | $15

AUGUST 6

2ND STREET FESTIVAL

One of the largest annual street festivals in Philadelphia, spanning several blocks in Northern Liberties. 12-9 p.m. 2nd Street between Girard Avenue & Spring Garden Street. Info: 2ndstfestival.org | Free

AUGUST 6

ACANA AFRICAN FESTIVAL

Celebrate the diversity in Philadelphia with a series of cultural festivals presented by PECO. 2-8 p.m. Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. 215922-2FUN | Free

AUGUST 7

COMPUTER SKILLS FOR SENIORS

Need computer help? Take a free digital skills workshop. Learn how to use a computer, get online & more. 11 a.m. Parkway Central Library. 215-686-5431 | Free

AUGUST 8

NUTRITION WORKSHOP

Learn about farmers market shopping, food safety, how to make fruits & vegetables a greater part of your diet. 2 p.m. David Cohen Ogontz Library. 215-685-3566 | Free

AUGUST 9

CROCHET CIRCLE

Bring a project with you for crafting & conversation. 4 p.m. Richmond Library. 215685-9992 | Free

AUGUST 11

CREDIT & REAL ESTATE WORKSHOP

Highlights best practices for consumer credit & real estate. 1 p.m. Walnut Street West Library. 215-685-7671 | Free

AUGUST 14

STOP THE BLEEDING: SAVE A LIFE

Death due to traumatic bleeding can occur in less than five minutes. But, in one hour, you can learn to save a life. 2 p.m. West Oak Lane Library. 215-685-2843 | Free

AUGUST 17

CITY PLANNING CLUB

Take part in a discussion series about topics related to Philadelphia history, connecting local history with city planning & development. 11 a.m. Parkway Central Library. 215-686-5431 | Free

AUGUST 19

FESTIVAL OF INDIA

Celebrate India’s 76th Independence Day with Northern & Southern Indian cuisine, classical Indian & Bollywood performances, shopping, & fun. 12-7 p.m. Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. 215-922-2FUN | Free

AUGUST 20

CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL

Enjoy authentic island sounds of reggae, Soca, cool jazz & gospel with creative dances complemented by a marketplace of Caribbean fashions & exotic cuisine. 12-8 p.m. Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. 215-922-2FUN | Free

AUGUST 22

TAI CHI

Improve functional movement/motion of body joints, gain a greater awareness of your body in space, & learn how your body moves as a complete unit. 12:30 p.m. KleinLife: Northeast Philadelphia. 215-698-7300 | Free

AUGUST 22

SENIOR FUN DAY IN THE PARK

Health screenings, line dancing, Zumba, raffles & prizes, food, music, & games. Presented by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Older Adult Services. Horticulture Center in Fairmount Park. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 215-685-2736 | Free

AUGUST 24

MEDITATION CLUB

Explore various modalities of meditation. 5 p.m. Andorra Library. 215-685-2552 | Free

AUGUST9 29

HEALTH & WELLNESS RESOURCES

The Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility (DBHIDS) will be hosting a resource table to answer questions & provide information. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library. 215-685-7431 | Free

For a listing of daily events and activities, contact your local senior community center! Go to pcaCares. org/senior-centers or call the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040 for a listing of senior centers in Philadelphia.