By Joan Weems, RN
A few days ago my husband answered the phone. I was trying to listen, but I couldn’t make much out of the conversation, until all of a sudden he asked me for my credit card. The verbiage that ensued was “What are you doing? Who is that? Let me have that phone!” The person on the other end hung the phone up since he had been discovered.
I’ve had my credit card information stolen three times just from buying things on the Internet. Our credit card information for our company has been stolen several times, but in all cases the credit card company has stood behind us and deleted the charges. Then they go to work to find who had stolen this off the Internet, or hacked the number, so they can prosecute them.
Senior citizens are the most vulnerable group in society to scam artists. We are easy prey. For one reason, a lot of us live in isolation and because we like having someone to talk to. If the caller has a nice, soothing, caring voice, we fall right into their trap. Because of our physical vulnerability and personal isolation, we are robbed more often than are the members of other age groups.
- Watch out if a caller promises prizes for buying products such as vitamins, beauty and health aids, or office supplies. These products are sold at outrageously inflated prices, costing a buyer $500 to $2,000 for items with a value of less than $100.
- If you have home health, hospice or any other service coming to your home, a picture ID name tag must be worn by law. It must include the company’s name, the person’s name and their picture. We had some of these in our area not too long ago, who were going into patient’s homes in scrubs, a name tag but not a picture ID and no name of a company. They would come in twos and one kept them busy as the other one went through the house trying to find anything of value: money, jewelry, credit cards, etc.
- Never give a caller your credit card number or checking account number.
- Be especially cautious if a caller reaches you when you are feeling lonely. The person may call day after day until you feel that the caller is a friend, not a stranger trying to sell you something.
- If you do Facebook or other social media, you can be at risk. I received a message that I had won $50,000.00. I was almost fooled! I was to message my name, address, telephone number. I did! Then I text my daughters that I had won $50,000.00! They immediately text me back, “It is a scam, Mom!” And within minutes I was told to wire $5,000.00, to a foreign name I couldn’t read or say. And within just a few days I would receive $50,000.00. See, I did everything wrong! Then they begin to call me for the next two weeks. I had to change my name on Facebook and hope I had done everything to protect myself.
- If you think a caller is dishonest, hang up the phone. If a caller is trying to cheat you, it is not rude to end the conversation.
- Never act in haste. If a caller is pressuring you to make a quick decision, consult with friends and family or your state or local consumer protection office before taking a financial risk.
- Always remember that if you really win a prize, you will get it absolutely free, with no fee required.
- Beware if you have been cheated by con artists. They sell information to other con artists, who are likely to call.
- Remember, con artists are liars. They will say anything to get your money.
- If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is not true. Be skeptical of offers that promise rewards greatly out of proportion to your investment.
The American Association of Retired Persons and local law enforcement agencies, state attorney general, and the Federal Consumer Protection Agency, seek to educate senior citizens about mail and telemarketing schemes that defraud thousands of seniors each year.
Victory Home Health & Hospice is prepared to help you with any medical problems or healthcare questions you may have. Give us a call at 888-815-7922 to find one of our locations near you.
