Ramsey County

Making $ense of Dollars and Cents

May 12, 2008

Scammers and the Elderly

          Older consumers are a frequent a target of fraud and deceptive practices. They are likely to be at home to receive visits from door-to-door salespersons, e-mails, or calls from telemarketers. Seniors may not have regular contact with others who might help provide them with information about possible schemes or frauds and they often tend to be more trusting. Con artists may spend hours with lonely and vulnerable seniors establishing a trusting relationship.

          Some of the most common scams and how to avoid them follow.

Scam: A person telephones pretending to be a bank or credit company employee, and asks the person on the other line to verify or provide account information.

What to do: Never provide personal or confidential information of any kind to an unknown caller. If in doubt, request a return telephone number and phone the caller back.

Scam: A person claiming to be selling something or providing information door-to-door gains access to a home or asks the resident to verify or provide personal or confidential information.

What to do: Never provide personal or confidential information of any kind to an unknown caller. If the service or information seems legitimate, ask the caller to leave a business card or other contact information for the company so you can inquire later

Scam: A contract arrives in the mail requesting personal or confidential information and a signature.

What to do: Ask a friend or family member to review the document before providing information or signing it.

Scam:  A “home-improvement” business claims to have done repairs to the home while the elderly owner was gone and now is demanding payment.

What to do: Usually asking for receipts for supplies and photo documentation of work done will send this scammer running.  Never pay for work you have not authorized.

Scam:  The scammer claims to have a winning lottery ticket, but cannot redeem it for fear of being deported as an illegal alien. The scam artist offers to split the winnings if the stranger will redeem the ticket. To show trust, the translator says he and the victim will have to withdraw money from their bank accounts. Once the victim hands over the money, the con artist and accomplice disappear along with the fake lottery ticket.

What to do:  “If it’s too good to be true – it probably isn’t”.  Walk away with pride in your ability to make a good decision.

Scam: Fake Utility Worker/Phone Service/Safety Inspector gains access to the victim’s home by claiming to be working on a problem in the neighborhood. Once inside, the victim is distracted by one offender while an accomplice steals money or valuables.

What to do: Do not allow anyone without an appointment to enter your home.  Asking for identification plus a phone number for the supposed company will usually result in the scammer ending the conversation very quickly.

          If you think you may have been the victim of a con artist, get identifying information which includes a description of individuals and vehicles and immediately contact local law enforcement officials. Do not let embarrassment or fear keep you from reporting fraud or abuse.

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524 4th Ave NE #5, 2nd Floor Ramsey County Courthouse
Devils Lake  ND  58301
701-662-7027
email - ramsey@ndsuext.nodak.edu