Six Warning Signs You Might Be Being Scammed
Seniors are often the targets of scams and fraud. To help protect the older population, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Sequim Police Department, and Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office hosted a free seminar to educate seniors in the area about what to watch out for, so they don’t become victims.
According to the Sequim Gazette in Washington, “residents have lost millions to fraud, some of it converted into gold or Bitcoin and handed to people posing as government agents.” Presenters explained that it’s almost impossible to get the money back, so prevention is best.
They warned residents to watch out for the following red flags:
• Pressure to act immediately.
• A caller you did not contact claiming to be your bank, the IRS, Medicare, Social Security, or law enforcement.
• Anyone who tells you to keep the arrangement secret from your family.
• A request to pay in Bitcoin, or to buy gift cards on someone else’s behalf.
• A request to move the conversation to WhatsApp or Signal.
• A request to install software that lets someone else control your computer.
If you do think you have been the victim of a scam or fraud, you should contact the local police department and the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).
The Seniors Trust is committed to helping protect the financial well-being of older Americans through the passage of the Social Security Expansion Act. It will give retirees an immediate benefits increase of about $200 a month, a fair annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), increased minimum benefits, and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program.
