Weather
Seniors Increasingly Targeted by ScamsExperts warn against scammers asking for banking informationRelated Content
ANCHORAGE - From telephones to computers, scammers will use any method possible to get between you and your hard-earned money. And it’s seniors who are the easiest targets. Unfortunately here in Alaska it's becoming more and more of a problem but in order to stop the variety of scams going on, experts say it’s important to understand why seniors are being targeted in the first place. It’s something one family is just now trying to figure out after one phone call. It's a phone call Shannon Carte wasn't expecting. “The lady asked for Mary Petty Owens and I said, ‘well this is her niece, can I help you?’” said Carte. “She goes, ‘well, I’m from the Department of Education, and your aunt will be receiving a very hefty grant in the mail within the next six business days.” The caller knew Mary's full name and cell phone number, and Shannon started to ask questions. “I said, ‘okay, well umm, no…’ and she hung up the phone on me.” The problem is Aunt Mary is 54 years old suffers from dementia. She gets by on social security and public assistance checks and lives with her older sister Catherine Carte. “It just threw up red flags,” she says. Mary doesn't go to school, only the Anchorage Senior Center. Catherine believes people claiming to be education officials giving out scholarships called her sister. “She gets SSI and public assistance, and of course these people are going to know that they get it at the beginning of the month,“ said Catherine Cartes. It's one of several scams targeting seniors in which the scammers ask for bank or credit card numbers. “Anytime you're asked to wire money out of the country, anytime you’re asked to pay upfront fees…” said the Better Business Bureau of Alaska’s Adam Harkness, who said the office gets calls about senior scams every day. “They fall for that quick sales pitch; someone will say give us this money up front and we can turn around and double it.” The elderly are targeted because of their nest eggs and experts say seniors are less likely to report the scams. “If a crime is reported, they are much less likely to remember important details [like] what the caller sounded like, what was going on in the background,” said Harkness. Mary's family worries she could fall prey again. “She might not remember what she did, you know,” said Catherine Carte. While they may have protected her this time, the next time they may not be so successful. “I've kept a close eye on her checking account and everything,” said Carte. The Cartes filed a report with Anchorage police and the Department of Education and alerted the Anchorage Senior Center. Other scams include the mystery shopper, grandparent scam and internet payday lenders. The Better Business Bureau urges you to call them if you are unsure of any phone call, email, or letter you receive. |
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
|
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .
Ina's daughter said on Tuesday, May 1 at 12:41 PM
The phone calls could be laughed off as mom never talks on the phone unless it's a TDD. It's the stuff that comes in the mail that makes me wanna tear my hair out. She would send money to psychics for "lucky numbers" and "luck necklesses". She would fall for the pet and vet stories and send money. I finally told my daughter to go on-line check these places out and print down the negative comments so my mom could read them. She's hide letters from me (I found them). She would be sneeky about writing checks. I think my daughter and I finally made a dent though....but there is always the next scam for her to fall for. She loves the get rich quick ones. I tell her she is the richest woman in the world. She has a home, food, friends and family who love her and look out for her, she can pay her bills (when she is not throwing away her money to nuts)....what more could you want?
89422294Ina's daughter said on Tuesday, May 1 at 12:31 PM
When I was back home visiting my 85 year old mother she got two calls in a week.I handled both of them as my mom is too deaf to talk on the phone. The first said my mom had won 6 million dollars I listened to the guy talk. He said the money would be delivered in a day or two as long as we wired $800.00 somewhere. I started swearing at him and hung up. So when the second one called I decided I'd have a bit more fun! My mom had won 3.5 million. The guy says, "How does that make you feel"? I said, "I'm tired and feel like taking a nap after this call". Then I asked the guy how much money we had to wire to get the 3.5 million. He said we had to wire $3,500. I told him "that's too expensive. My mom won 6 million the other day and all they wanted was $800." Then I hung up on him. I went out to the dinning room where mom was talking to an insurance man. I hung my head and said "I'm sorry mom but I lost 9.5 million of your dollars this week".I explained and we all had a good laugh.
89421164Add a comment
Most Popular