TOP-5 SCAMS TARGETING OLDER AMERICANS
Under the right conditions, anyone could fall for a scam, but scammers are especially successful at targeting people with certain risk factors, like social isolation, loneliness, limited sight or mobility, and cognitive aging. Scammers are also attracted by the pensions and life savings of retirees. But there are many ways to help older Americans protect the nest eggs they’ve worked so hard to secure.
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Ask someone you trust for advice before making any large purchase or financial decision.
Go over credit card and bank statements to ensure that only authorized purchases are listed.
Register for the Do Not Call list and only pick up the phone if you personally know the caller.
Remember that no legitimate lottery will ask for money to claim your prize.
Avoid free lunch or free dinner seminars where investment schemes and other phony offers are frequently promoted.
Be aware that people who have been scammed are at higher risk of being targeted again. Even just returning a scammer’s phone call can put you at risk, as scammers often sell the personal contact information of respondents to other scammers.
Justice begins with you. If you’ve encountered any scams targeting veterans or have been a victim yourself and the U.S. Mail® has been used in any way, we want to help. Please report the crime.
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