Strangers seeking to exploit older adults financially might target them by:
- Phone
- Unsolicited "spam" email
- U.S. Mail
- Fraudulent websites or online ads
- Posts to internet chat rooms or online discussions
- Newspaper or magazine ads
- Going door to door to offer repairs or services
Older adults can be more susceptible to scams if they are:
- On the internet or use email a lot
- Reluctant to say no, hang up the phone or end in-person sales pitches
- Too optimistic about their chances of winning something
- Likely to think they can "get rich quick"
- Easily intimidated or swayed by others
Unwanted offers can be reduced by:
- Signing up for the National Do Not Call Registry (DoNotCall.Gov or 1-888-382-1222)
- Registering at DMAchoice.Org to reduce unwanted commercial mail and email
- Using caller ID or an answering machine to screen phone calls
- Setting up or adjusting spam filters on email accounts
- Installing security software on computers
- Registering at OptOutPrescreen.Com to reduce credit and insurance offers
- Signing up for alerts about new scams from the state consumer protection agency or U.S. Federal Trade Commission
Practices that help protect against consumer scams include:
- Never sharing financial or personal information with companies or individuals who initiate contact
- Always making checks payable to a company or financial institution, never a person
- Checking bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions
- Requesting free credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.Com
Older adults can shop smart by:
- Comparison shopping for goods and services, especially ones aimed at older adults such as drug or insurance plans
- Asking contractors or other paid help for credentials, references and a written work estimate
- Paying for services with a credit card or check, so there's a record
- Being skeptical - if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is, especially if there's pressure to act quickly
