July 30, 2019
Beware of Scams Targeting Seniors
By Chris White
Marketing and PR Coordinator
Milestone’s Area Agency on Aging
On June 13th I was sitting at my desk here at Milestones wearing a purple dress shirt in my small way of bringing attention to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. However, I work for an Area Agency on Aging, and every day is Elder Abuse Awareness Day. I bring this up, not to keep you updated on my fashion choices – which are always excellent – but because of an email I received that day.
One of our nutrition center managers sent a message about scam phone calls targeting seniors. The general idea of this scam goes something like this: “This call is from the Department of Social Security Administration. The reason you have been called from our department is to inform you that we have just suspended your Social Security number because we found some suspicious activity. If you would like more information on this case, please press one.”
The kicker? As one of our nutrition center managers was typing out the very email I received informing staff of this new scam, she received a phone call from one of those scammers.
I looked down at my purple shirt, and out at the office full of others wearing purple. I thought of the events pertaining to elder abuse awareness planned at each of our offices. And the implication of this new scam-hit me: it’s never-ending. The National Council on Aging released this list of the top scams
perpetrated against seniors in 2019:
1. Medicare/health insurance scams
2. Counterfeit prescription drugs
3. Funeral & cemetery scams
4. Fraudulent anti-aging products
5. Telemarketing/phone scams
6. Internet fraud
7. Investment schemes
8. Homeowner/reverse mortgage scams
9. Sweepstakes & lottery scams
10. The grandparent scam (Visit NCOA.org for specific details)
I don’t understand the mentality of these scammers. But then again, I don’t understand the mentality of abusers either, and that’s what scammers are: abusers. During one’s “golden years,” these scams are anything but gilded. They prey on the uninformed and underinformed. Sadly, the news of these scams rarely reaches those most susceptible, and thousands are exploited with each scam.
So, why am I writing this? What does this all mean? It’s an observation, and a reminder to you, of the prevalence of abuse to which seniors are subjected that goes largely unnoticed by the public. That’s why I wore a purple dress shirt. That’s why we all do what we do here at Milestones. For more information or if you need assistance, please call us at 1-855-410-6222.
Chris White is Marketing and PR Coordinator at Milestones Area Agency on Aging. He can be reached at (563) 484-3147 or at cwhite@milestones aaa.org
