AMAC Magazine, Volume 17 Issue 4 - JUL/AUG 2023
Did you know scammers alter their tactics depending on their target demographic? Be sure to know what to look out for at your age!
1. What method do scammers use most to contact seniors?
Answer: Phone Call
2. What type of payment do scammers receive most from seniors?
Answer: Credit Card
3. Many scams are used throughout the senior community. Can you place these scams in order from most used to least?
Answer (in order from most used to least):
1. Online Shopping
2. Tech Support
3. Business Imposter
4. Miscellaneous Investments
5. Government Imposters
I’ve been scammed like this but I’m smarter than they are. A few pointed questions always fouls them up, like what’s the fathers middle name, what’s my cats name. Simple questions that only they would know. Worked for me.
Great information…whether or not you’re a senior!
I would say that, for #1, there are lots of e-mail scams out there…I have received many attempts. For those, look at the “from” email address…if it looks weird or unprofessional, it’s probably a scam (delete that mail). Similarly with texts, as they often give a link to click on to see something, “find out more”, etc. You’d best not click on those links.
FFor #3, watch out too for government imposters. For example, the IRS…it will NEVER call you if it wants info from you, DON’T give any out. I also recently got a Social Security Administration call asking me for info on my application. With my wife’s wiser mind, I didn’t give any over the phone.
Didnt know this,great info
Very good information and reminders!
Thank you AMAC for keeping us Seniors informed.
I am constantly getting emails stating, “thanks so much for your recent order of $987.57 for an iPhone 13 (or whatever) we will be charging your account (they give a near future date) if you have any question regarding this purchase please call”. (They leave an 800 #). It’s usually from PayPal or Walmart. Sometimes it even threatens to call a collection agency if payment is not made. I made the mistake years ago and called one of these 800 #’s to complain that I had made no such purchase. They tried to convince me that I had made the purchase and it was going to hurt my credit rating if I didn’t make the payment. They were very convincing, up until the point when they asked for my Credit Card # to ‘verify’ it was me or someone else. That’s when I knew it was a scam and hung up immediately.
Thank you!!!
great checking in w/seniors about this idk esp 3rd Q
I got ripped off once because it seemed to be a great deal. The old adage holds true “If it seems to be too good to be true, then it probably is”. I reported it to the credit card company immediately and am thankful that they did not hold me responsible. I am more careful now and check out the web site first.
I’ve only come close to being successfully scammed once and it was a phone call. But, they wanted gift cards and it was a jury duty scam-government. That said, I receive far more email attempts than phone attempts.
Below mentioned “check the FROM address” is a big giveaway and you won’t wonder.