Protecting Your Loved One from Fraud

Although Americans aged 60 and older make up 15 percent of the country’s population, these seniors account for an estimated 30 percent of fraud victims.

Based on these statistics, it should come as no surprise that many seniors often fall into unwanted debt and experience identity theft. In fact, 5 million seniors fall victim to financial fraud each year.

“Families must take precaution in knowing their aging loved ones are frequently victims of scams and high-pressure sales tactics,” said [Insert Name], owner of Right at Home in [Insert City]. “Acting against senior scammers is critical in preventing misuse of seniors’ personal and financial assets.”

So why do seniors make great targets for scammers? The answer is that these elderly citizens grew up in a time when business was based on a handshake and trust. This often means seniors are very trustworthy individuals, whether it concerns their family, friends or an engaging stranger with a good offer.

With an increasing number of seniors falling victim to scams, the professionals of Right at Home in [Insert City] created the following tips on how to prevent some of the most widespread senior scams.

Telemarketing Scams
-     If the proposed offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
-     Never provide personal information to someone over the phone- such as your credit card or social security numbers- without verifying their identity.
-     If you are interested in the offer, ask for it in writing so you can verify it’s legitimacy .

Mail Fraud
-     Don’t be fooled by official looking mail. If the postage is marked at a bulk rate, chances are you didn’t really win that large amount of money, so don’t provide personal information to claim your prize.
-     Legitimate sweepstakes companies will provide you with written information on how the contest works. If the details aren’t in writing, chances are it’s a scam.
-     Buying something won’t increase your chances of winning. It is illegal for a company to say that a purchase will increase your odds.

Identity Theft
-     Be sure to shred bills, junk mail, receipts and any other material containing personal information before disposing of them.
-     Never share your credit information, social security number or Medicare number, especially over the phone.
-     If you experience a call from someone claiming they are calling on behalf of Medicare, be sure to first contact Medicare to see if they are making such calls.

Door to Door Scams
-     Never open your door to a stranger or invite them into your home. Ask to see the person’s credentials and identification if they claim to be with a specific company.
-     If the person at your door claims they are assigned to check your meter, tell them to wait outside and call your utility company for verification
-     Do not buy on impulse. Tell the salesman that you will contact them after you have fully looked over the materials they provided you with. If there are no written materials, don’t buy the product.

Home Improvement Fraud
-     Contracting with bonded and insured organizations always minimizes a senior’s risk.
-     Use a local and well-established contractor, and don’t be afraid to ask for references.
-     Get construction bids from several companies, and be cautious of bids that seem too good to be true
-     Never say yes to someone who wants money up-front, or before the job is done.

If you are a senior, or know a senior who has fallen victim to a fraudulent scam, be sure to report it immediately. The longer a scammer goes unreported, the greater the future risk to vulnerable seniors. Seniors can contact the following agencies for more information about fraud prevention:

•     AARP
www.aarp.org
(888) 687-2277

•     Federal Trade Commission
      www.ftc.gov
(877) FTC-HELP (382-4357)

•     StopSeniorScams.org
www.stopseniorscams.org

About Right at Home
Right at Home was founded by Allen Hager in 1995 and began franchising in 2000. The concept offers in-home supportive care and assistance to seniors and other adults to help them continue to live independently. Right at Home has more than 100 offices operating in the United States.

Company expansion plans call for a total of 300 locations within the next five years. For more information, call (253) 460-4848 or visit www.rightathome.net. To sign up for Right at Home’s informational eNewsletter (Caring Right at Home) please go to www.caringnews.com.