While older folks tend to lose more money when they fall for a romance scam, anyone can get fooled by the fake profiles and stolen photos of attractive men and women. As is typical with these scams, this online romance was all via text or email. C. Steven Baker recently retired as director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Midwest Region in Chicago, a position he has held since 1988. The Region covers the central United States, and the office does primarily consumer protection work for the Commission, concentrating on consumer fraud matters such as telemarketing and spamming.
In urgent situations—for example, if a caregiver is threatening you or your loved one—reach out to the local police. Schedule in nutritional meals, good quality sleep, regular exercise, and time to enjoy your favorite hobbies. All of this can give you a sense of control over your life and help you maintain your physical and mental well-being.
How to Spot a Fraud
This potential mate claims to live in another part of the country or to be abroad for business or a military deployment. But he or she seems smitten and eager to get to know you better, and suggests you move your relationship to a private channel like email or a chat app. How to protect your personal information and privacy, stay safe online, and help your kids do the same.
The crime: Elder fraud scam
You’ve opened all your gifts, and now it’s time to open those post-holiday credit card statements. If you were a little too jolly with your holiday spending, here are some tips to help dig this you pay down your credit card debt. When you use your credit card to buy something, you… Many elderly victims don’t report fraud out fear, embarrassment, or lack of resources.
Victims who refuse to cooperate are threatened with arrest, deportation, or suspension of a business or driver’s license. IRS Imposter Scams operating from abroad often use U.S.-based money mules to receive victim payments and transmit proceeds to perpetrators. The “sweetheart scam” is one of the most widely utilized modes of preying upon a victim for financial gain. In 2020, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received reports from 6,817 elderly victims who experienced over $281 million in losses to confidence fraud and romance scams. Scammers may contact you and claim that you’ve won a prize in a contest or lottery.
If your accounts are public, avoid posting personal information. One of the most important steps to protecting yourself is to avoid making rash financial decisions. Don’t feel the need to immediately respond to any offers or demands, especially if you question the legitimacy of the person contacting you. Keep in mind that trustworthy businesses and government entities won’t force you to make a sudden decision. Some fraudsters offer to help you make money through real estate investment seminars and coaching programs. Their typical pitch is that you can make a fortune by using their “proven” and “risk-free” strategies.
Collect any records you have of your online relationship, including conversations and transactions. If you’re suspicious or sure that you’re being scammed, cut off communication immediately and report the activity. Always consider the possibility of it being a scam, even if you contacted them first.
More than one-third of Americans ages 18-39believe it is harmless to stalk a current or former partner online. 3 in 5 Gen Z and millennial Americans ages have admitted to stalking an ex or current partner online. Around 42% of younger Americans from ages who currently have a romantic partner believe their partner is at least somewhat likely to download an application to monitor their activity. Especially if your other cyber half is located outside of the U.S., be sure to refer them to a U.S. consulate or embassy if they ask for help or money. It’s a reasonable response, since authorities would be able to provide better help, especially if you just met them. The person’s messages look like they could be copy-and-pasted into any conversation.
You also consent to receive calls and texts, which may be autodialed, from us and our customer communities. Your consent is not a condition to using our service. I’m a senior care specialist trained to match you with the care option that is best for you.Get personalized guidance from a dedicated local advisor. Share your new social interests and friendships with them. Your loved ones usually have your best interests in mind and can be trusted to provide honest advice and guidance.
The only other way to match these people’s intelligence is not falling for those online dates. Avoid sharing too much information on Facebook that could reveal your financial and social status. He sent heart-wrenching photos of a young girl, who appeared to be his daughter’s age, hooked to a raft of medical monitors. Kipps says her worst experience was with a man who claimed to be a widower raising his five-year-old daughter. Just as they were about to meet, he had a sudden emergency and had to fly to the Philippines, where his daughter was supposedly staying with a relative. Scammers look for vulnerable populations — women and men in their 50s and 60s who are divorced or widowed and may feel rejected or past their prime.
However, loneliness comes with its own set of mental health consequences, such as depression and cognition decline. You can also manage your communication preferences by updating your account at anytime. The rise of smartphone tools like CashApp, Venmo, Zelle and PayPal, which let you transfer money directly to another person, has led to a range of frauds. Join today and save 25% off the standard annual rate. Get instant access to discounts, programs, services, and the information you need to benefit every area of your life. Phony retail websites aren’t new, but they look more real today than ever before.
They might not even want to talk about the situation at all. Just do what you can to make them feel empowered and remind them of the good in the world. Run errands for them if it helps to reduce their stress. Make plans with them if they need a distraction or new experience.
The caller uses threatening language and wants you to pay them using gift cards or wire transfers. Remember, these agencies will almost never reach out to you over the phone — especially if it’s something as grave as a crime. If they do call, hang up and call the agency’s official phone number. Never send money to anyone you have only communicated with online or by phone.
Often, though, victims feel too humiliated to talk about what happened. But what really drew regulators’ attention, given that other fraud categories generated more complaints, was the money involved. “It’s the No. 1 fraud category if you look at the total dollars people reported losing,” Ms. Vaca said.