Your cellphone rings, you reply, and somebody with a pleasant voice asks to your checking account or Social Safety quantity.
Dangle up. It’s most likely a rip-off.
Fraudsters have a tendency to focus on older folks, who are sometimes extra trusting and weak. Older persons are additionally extra prone to discuss to somebody they don’t know.
In 2021, greater than 6,700 Texans over age 60 reported dropping greater than $159 million to fraud.
Widespread scams:
- A caller affords to repair a non-existent pc downside or to resume a fraudulent software program or safety subscription. The caller may even switch you to pretend “customer support” employees.
- A caller pretending to be a grandchild calling from one other nation and needing a whole bunch of {dollars} quick. As soon as cash will get despatched exterior the USA, it’s very laborious to get better.
- A name or e-mail that claims you’ve received a sweepstakes or lottery. The catch: It’s worthwhile to pay 1000’s of {dollars} to get the larger prize.
- Somebody on the cellphone or sending an e-mail adopts a pretend id to realize affection and confidence. The scammer builds a relationship with the sufferer to steal their cash.
How do you keep away from these and insurance coverage scams? Hearken to The Texas Insurance Podcast, that includes ideas from Tim Morstad of AARP Texas.
View podcast Q&A: How older adults can avoid scams
