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 machince 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