Senior citizens are the most common age group targeted by scammers. As fraud problems continue, the Federal Bureau of Investigation wants to remind seniors across the nation to protect themselves and their families from fraud. The FBI gathers data about fraud incidents involving seniors and provides updated safety tips on their site each year.
Why Seniors Are Common Targets For Fraud
Scammers know that seniors have been working longer than younger Americans and are more likely to own their homes and have sizeble savings accounts. Also, they may have investments or other forms of income. Also, seniors tend to have better credit scores and better credit history reports than younger Americans. Con artists know that good credit can be easy to exploit.
Another reason why seniors are targeted is their pleasant personalities. People who were raised in the 1940’s through the 1960’s were taught to be polite, to find the good in all people and to be trusting. Crooked scam artists know that seniors are less likely to hang up on them and are more likely to believe them when they offer promises. Since older Americans often do not know where to report fraud, they are less likely to report it when it happens to them. Also, many feel embarrassed that they were scammed. Another reason why they do not report scams is that they are worried about family members assuming that their mental capacity is changing. These are legitimate concerns, and the FBI encourages seniors to report any fraud or suspected fraud directly to the FBI instead of family.
Why Seniors Are Less Likely To Report Fraud
If an elderly person waits to report a crime or has memory issues, the individual may not remember enough details for investigators to track down the criminal. For this reason, scammers often provide vague information, use fake names and use spoofed numbers. In some instances, elderly Americans may provide financial information and may wait weeks for a product to arrive. They may not realize that they have been swindled until the product does not arrive, and they may have forgotten any important information by that time.
The FBI encourages seniors who buy items online or over the phone to write down details of the transaction when it happens. Seniors are the most frequent buyers of supplements and other products that are supposed to restore cognitive function, physical health and virility. Also, they are frequent customers of anti-cancer supplements. Companies that are offering free or low-cost hearing aids, scooter chairs or other medical equipment should be treated with caution. Seniors should research a company before making a purchase. When in doubt, ask a trusted doctor for recommendations about where to buy medical equipment.
Elderly women who live alone are targeted more often than elderly couples or single older men. Telemarketing scams especially target aging American women. However, all seniors are targets of telemarketing scams and should know what to watch for. Never provide a date of birth, a Medicare number or any other sensitive information to someone who calls. Medicare will never ask for this information, and qualified vendors will not solicit their products or services. To learn more about staying safe from scams and how to report fraud, contact me I can Help!!
844-MEDISAV
desiree@seniorinsurancesales.com
Report Medicare Fraud:
1-800 MEDICARE