There are so many scams popping up in our world, it’s hard to keep track of them. The scammers target specific groups, such as older people or people who speak Spanish or anyone they hope to fool. Every professional can be instrumental in helping stop the scammers.
The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission have joined forces to help educate the public. They’ve put out these four tips to pass on to every client, whether you believe they are in a vulnerable targeted group or not.
Here’s the gist of their bulletin:
Share the scams you hear about. A few words from you can help someone you care about avoid getting taken. We’ll keep you posted as we watch constantly for reports of the latest scams from multiple sources at AgingInvestor.com.
1. Someone might ask you for money or personal information. But do you really know who’s behind that email or on the phone? They might not be who they say they are. Check it out before you do anything. Talk to someone you know about how you can confirm the story – and what you should do.
2. Someone might want you to act now to give them money or personal information –before you have time to think about it. Tell that person you need time. Then talk to someone you trust before you do anything else.
3. The best way to avoid a scam is to talk about it – even if you’re not sure it is a scam. Talking about the phone calls and emails you get can help you, and helps those you know.
4. If you spot a scam, tell the government. They want to catch the thieves and prosecute them. Your report makes a difference.
Report scams in English and Spanish: call 1-877-382-4357 or visit ftc.gov/complaint (English) or www.ftc.gov/queja (Spanish).
Now AgingInvestor.com is making it really easy for you to send this information to your clients, all of them. Frequent contact from you can’t hurt your image, right? Get your free sample letter click here.
Until next time,
Carolyn Rosenblatt, RN, Elder Law Attorney
