According to the U.S.
News & World Report, every year there are 5 million cases of elder
fraud in the U.S., resulting in as much as $27.4 billion in losses. Additionally, these crimes are often hard for
law enforcement to prosecute because in many cases victims are too embarrassed
to report the crimes. The FBI says con
artists also know that seniors do not make good witnesses even if they do
report the crime due to the effects of age on their memory and the length of
time it takes to bring a case to justice.
Experts explain there are several reasons why seniors are more
susceptible to fraudulent schemes starting with the fact they tend to be very
trusting. Our elderly population was typically
raised to be polite, to believe people are basically good, and have a hard time
saying “no.” These are the traits con
artists exploit. Lonely seniors can easily
be preyed upon as they are willing to stay on the phone and engage in conversation
with a stranger.
A recent scheme that targeted a large group of seniors
was a robocall that informed people they needed to return the call as there was
a security issue with their social security number. When the person called back, they were asked
for their full name, address and S.S. number, and told their SS# had been
comprised and they would be receiving a new one. Authorities
warn that if criminals obtain someone’s full name and SS#, it allows them to do
all kinds of damage to the victim including trying to collect their
benefits.
Another scam is romance fraud, which involves a person
being approached by the scammer through dating sites or other social
media. A relationship ensues through
online contact but never face-to-face. After
a level of trust is established, the person is asked to send small amounts of
money for alleged emergencies to test their willingness and gullibility. Finally as the scam plays out, the person may
give the con artist large amounts of money, or even be used to receive money or
goods purchased with stolen credit cards or to transport drugs.
The FBI warns that there are many fraudulent schemes
to be aware of including telemarketing scams, Medicare scams, tax fraud,
etc. They say, “If you are age 60 or
older—and especially if you are an older woman living alone—you may be a
special target of people who sell bogus products and services by telephone.” Remember to never give out personal or
financial information over the phone or online and do not send money.
The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Beaverton, “to
honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living
communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors,
and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to
creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you
to schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest senior
living in Beaverton.
Sources: health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/how-to-prevent-senior-fraud
fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-fraud-schemes/seniors
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