Fraudsters are getting bolder — and more believable — by the day. If someone claiming to be from the FBI called you, would you question it? For many seniors, the answer is no. That’s why scammers posing as federal agents are targeting older Americans with elaborate lies designed to steal their savings and destroy their […]
Falling Prey to Financial Scams Could Be an Early Sign of Alzheimer’s
Dear Angel, They say that there is a correlation between early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and falling prey to financial scams. Is this true and if so, what can we do if we see someone falling into this pattern? Thanks, Cora Layshun — Dear Cora, Yes, this appears to be true. Researchers at the University of […]
Safeguarding Seniors: Essential Online Safety Tips to Protect Against Scammers
Guest post by assistedlivingmagazine.com In today’s digital age, the internet offers endless opportunities for seniors to connect, learn, and explore. However, it’s essential for older adults to be vigilant and informed about online safety to protect themselves against scammers and fraudsters. In this article, we’ll discuss crucial safety tips to help seniors navigate the online […]
The Scammers Are Winning. How a New Client Benefit from The Farr Law Firm Can Help You Turn the Tables!
Q. I’ve been reading your newsletter for a while now and I’m always very impressed with all of your articles, including the many informative articles about the latest scams that seem to keep being targeted at the older population, and how to spot these scams so we don’t become another victim. I forward your articles […]
Two Scams That Aren’t Widely Known
Dear Kiwi and Mango, A friend of mine recently experienced a gift card draining scam where there was nothing left on a gift card she purchased at the store. Another was a victim of check washing, where the scammer actually washed the writing off a check she put in her mailbox. I have never heard […]
New Medicare Card Scams Are on the Rise
Dear Hayek, I recently received a call from Medicare asking if I could verify my Medicare number for the new plastic Medicare card being sent my way. The man sounded very professional, and I was tempted to give him my number. Is this a new scam, or could it be legitimate? Thanks for your help! […]
New Law Helps Protect Seniors from Financial Exploitation
Q. Last summer, you wrote about a veteran named Larry Cook who was a victim of financial exploitation. He was scammed out of millions of dollars in Virginia before he died. Mr. Cook was very careful with his money and would never have allowed himself to be exploited so badly had he been in his […]
Consumer Protection Week: Record Losses of $10 Billion Due to Scams Were Reported to the FTC Last Year!
Q. You have always been so helpful in educating your readers about senior scams. Unfortunately, I recently read somewhere that there are some new scams on the horizon, including those involving hacking, identity theft, and cryptocurrency fraud. Can you explain more about these and other top scams, so I am aware and know what to […]
Scammers Are More Sophisticated than Ever — Be Vigilant about the New AI Voice Scam
Q. I heard about a new type of “emergency scam,” where scammers are using artificial intelligence to mimic voices and scam loved ones into sending money. How do these scams work, and what can I do to stop something like this from happening to me or my elderly parents? Thanks for your help! A. “Emergency […]
Medical Identity Theft — Someone Could Steal Your Medical Records, and You Will Be Billed for Their Care!
Q. I read your recent article about a Navy veteran in Northern Virginia who was defrauded out of several million dollars, and the banks did nothing to stop it. Thanks for sharing that and for making us aware that this type of fraud is happening. It made me think of something I heard about that […]
Virginia Veteran Scammed Out of Millions of Dollars, and the Banks Did Nothing to Stop It
Q. I heard about a veteran who was scammed out of millions of dollars in Virginia before he passed away. The banks allowed dozens of huge wire transfers to go through to banks in Thailand without question. The man was very careful with his money and would’ve never allowed it had he been in his […]
Deed Fraud May Be on the Rise – Learn How to Spot if You’re a Victim of House Theft
Q. I have owned my home for 20 years and am well on my way to paying off my mortgage. I have enough money to make my monthly payments, buy groceries, pay utility bills, and save a little for retirement. The same was true for my neighbor, Sally, until her financial life was in ruins. […]
Protect Yourself from Being Scammed — Cybersecurity Awareness Training, Identity Theft Insurance, Forgery Insurance
Q. I have heard that identity theft and forgery theft have been more rampant than ever. I can’t imagine being the victim of either of these horrible crimes. Besides being vigilant (including reading your articles to learn how to spot scams), are there any other ways for someone to protect themselves in connection with these […]
Deed Scams and Title Scams – Protect Your Senior Loved Ones
Q. My brother, Alexander, recently transferred his residence to a Living Trust Plus®. Shortly after, he received a “Deed Processing Notice” in the mail that looks a lot like an official government bill. It indicated that he and his wife had to pay $83 for a copy of their deed and a “Property Profile.” The […]
Been the Victim of a Scam? The ReST Program Can Help!
You get a new text message from a number you’ve never seen before. It reads something like, “Hey is this Bonnie? It’s Steve. We chatted on a silver seniors dating site before when I came to visit my granddaughter, but we never met in real life. I’m back in town if you want to have […]
How to Scam-Proof Your Life During the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Holiday Season
Q. My neighbor, Kathryn, was the victim of a COVID-19 grandparent scam recently. She was contacted by a criminal who posed as her panicked grandson in need of thousands of dollars quickly for an emergency hospital bill. Of course, she sent the money to help him, later finding out that it was a scam. I […]
Internet Scams Targeting the Elderly
Q. My Aunt Julie was recently the victim of tax-related fraud. She explained what happened and I knew right away that it was a scam targeting the elderly. Someone claiming to be from the IRS called her and told her that she owed back taxes and threatened that, unless funds were wired immediately, legal action […]
Senior $afe Act and Other Safeguards Against Financial Exploitation
Joseph and Carol are in their 80’s and are retired. Recently, their daughter Karen moved in after a tough divorce that left her broke. One of the reasons Karen’s husband left was because of her spending habits. Shortly after moving in with her parents, Karen began making bank withdrawals of money she didn’t intend to […]
Caregiver’s Convictions of Financial Exploitation and Credit Card Fraud Affirmed (Va. App.)
A.C. required 24-hour care due to a serious brain injury caused by West Nile virus and encephalitis. Raymeka White was employed by a caregiver service and placed in A.C.’s home. White made cash withdraws for her personal benefit using A.C.’s debit card. A trial court found White guilty of financial exploitation of a mentally incapacitated […]
How to Avoid Three Scams Following the Massive Equifax Data Breach
Wayne was planning on taking out a home equity loan last year to make his home more accessible for his mother, who was moving in with his family. One of the first things he did was order a credit report from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to check his credit. Little did he know that he […]