Senior Fraud Guidance

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Source FTC and other internet sites "

Seniors are vulnerable to identity theft scams and fraud because often they are more trusting, have more savings and home equity built up, and are less likely to closely monitor their credit and financial accounts. 

 The followings are areas that senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to include: 

•  Medical identity theft. This occurs when a victim’s personally identifiable information (PII), most often a Social Security number, is stolen and used to bill Medicaid or an insurance company for services the victim did not receive. This tends to be a costly form of identity theft, due to the high costs of health care. Medical identity theft also is difficult to untangle, as federal and state governments, along with national insurance carriers, often don’t have robust security and investigations teams in place. When one victim asked a Medicaid representative why they continued to pay fraudulent charges, the rep said, “Because they come to us.” 
•  Estate identity theft exists when a criminal collects tax returns, Social Security checks, and other benefits using PII from the recently deceased. This crime often is perpetrated by a family member of the deceased and can be misinterpreted as “victimless.” Yet it can take an emotional toll on relatives and friends struggling with loss and grief. It may also carry financial consequences if debt is incurred or inheritances are lost. Due to red tape, it can take years for families and estate executors to sort through the crime.             
• Family Scam: (Family members utilize their close relationship to access your account/saving/possessions for their own unscrupulous purposes)   .     

              •They asked to be added as a user to your bank/credit card account

              •They asked you to co-sign a loan or new credit card

              •They asked for your login information

              •They asked for a loan that they will not return

              •They asked to have a power of attorney to control your assets (House , Saving …..)

              •They asked to be added to your will or to change your will .

              *What you can do:

              •Know who you can trust without emotion . Assign him/her to be your extra set of eyes 

              •Don’t sign on any legal document that you don’t understand

              •Consult with Attorney and/or your banker regarding account activity.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

• Tax fraud  is an increasingly common form of identity theft across all age groups, but seniors are often slower to discover the crime and seek help, for reasons described earlier. Tax fraud occurs when a criminal files taxes using a stolen Social Security or Employee ID number to collect a victim’s tax return. Like all forms of identity theft, this personal information is often gained through the loss of the victim’s personal documents—a lost purse or wallet. 
• Investment scam: Scammers may reach out claiming to have a guaranteed, no-risk strategy to turn an investment into huge financial gains. These investment opportunities often operate through financial apps or websites that appear legitimate. However, once the victim has committed funds to their “investment”, it may turn out to be fake, allowing the scammer to escape with the money. 

              *Helpful tips:

              Be cautious of offers requiring less secure payment types like cryptocurrency. Research

              the investment company or platform before committing any funds. Never send

              money to someone you haven’t met in person.

• Phone scams or telemarketing fraud strikes when criminals communicate with victims by phone. The pretense for the call can vary from selling specialized products to awarding free prizes or health care services. But the ultimate goal is to get the victim’s PII and financial information, such as credit card numbers. Seniors are especially at risk for phone scams, according to the FBI, particularly older women living alone. 
• Military identity theft is the takeover of a service member’s personal information to claim military benefits. It works much like Medicaid fraud or medical identity theft. Veterans also are susceptible to phone scams, as was recently the case in Colorado when a scammer called veterans to “confirm” disability status and, in the process, stole personal information including Social Security numbers. 
• Wire transfer fraud happens when a criminal uses a victim’s personal information and/or online banking information to electronically transfer money from their financial accounts. The crime often goes unreported for 30 days or more—until the victim sees a bank statement.