COLUMN

WESTON COUNTY GAZETTE

BILL TAYLOR
12/15/06
PROTECTING SENIORS FROM FRAUD (Part 2)

Last time we talked about the large number of serious frauds of senior citizens in our country –
for a number of reasons. And we discussed various things you should watch for in order to
protect elder members of your family from such attacks.

Remember that seniors make up approximately 30 percent of those defrauded in the country and
may number as many as 5 million persons per year.

You should be familiar with the schemes that your parents or other seniors might encounter, so
let’s examine some of those. Today we will try to cover about a third of the scams and then
continue next time.

Fictitious relative: The senior receives a phone call purporting to be a relative in trouble. If
grandma, grandpa, or auntie will just send a few thousand dollars the caller can pay bond, pay off
a debt, or save their house.

Advance fee (419) fraud or Nigerian letters: E-mails that ask recipients to provide their bank
account number to help them share in a big pot of money.

Financial institution employee fraud: An employee at a financial institution (bank, credit

agency) steals your information – or someone identifies themselves as being from your bank and
needs your personal information.

International lottery fraud: You’re told that you’ve won a sweepstakes or the Canadian lottery.
You’re asked to pay for processing, taxes or delivery, or provide a bank account number to
verify your identity.

Phishing: A term is used for emails that claim to be from your bank, a reputable business or a
government agency. Criminals ask for personal information such as Social Security numbers or
account numbers to steal funds and/or steal identities

Sweepstakes and Lotteries: You’re told that you’ve won a sweepstakes or the Canadian lottery.
You’re asked to pay for processing, taxes or delivery, or provide a bank account number to
verify your identity

Travel Scams: Before buying travel packages get the offer in writing; check the following to see
if the company is legitimate: the Better Business Bureau; state attorney general’s office; your
local consumer protection agency; the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT) at 202-366-2396.
Always use a credit card to purchase travel.

Charities: ‘Sound-alike’ names can be tricky – be sure to check out each solicitation carefully.
Nonprofit and charitable groups must file IRS Form 990. You can check 990s at GuideStar at
www.guidestar.org. Before you donate, check to see if the charity is legitimate at
www.charitywatch.org or call 773-529-2300.

For more information and for assistance with these issues you can contact the National Center on
Elder Abuse at www.elderabusecenter.org or 800-677-1116 and the U.S. Administration on
Aging at www.aoa.gov. If you or someone you know is a victim call the police or other state and
local enforcement agencies such as a district attorney or state attorney general.

The University of Wyoming, United States Department of Agriculture, and Weston County Office
cooperate.