Almost all of us have been scammed at one time or another. It’s natural to want to put your trust in others. And scammers are experts at winning our trust.
If you think you’ve been scammed, or think you’re about to be, ask yourself:
- Is a stranger or “new friend” pressuring me for money?
- Are they saying there’s a risk to me or my family if I don’t act right away?
- Did your computer screen lock and prompt you to call a number?
- Does it all just seem too good (or too bad!) to be true?
Although scammers rely on you feeling stressed and rushed, please keep in mind there is always time to pause, evaluate the scenario, or ask someone for help. If you aren’t sure, but something seems off, give us a call at (415) 538-3333, our attorneys are here to help free of charge.
Common Scams
Report Elder Fraud
The scammers are inventing new scams all the time. Here are some common scams circulating today:
Sweepstakes Scam
You’re contacted by a sweepstakes company and told that you’re a big winner. But first…you have to pay the taxes and fees to an account provided by them.
Romance Scam
You’ve met a new romantic partner on a social media or dating site. After just a few interactions, you seem to know each other so well. They say they want to move to San Francisco so they can be with you. But first…they need you to wire them money for the move.
Technology Scam
Your computer’s acting up. Someone from a tech support company contacts you and says they can help. But first…they want you to give them remote access to your computer, including all your financial information.
Grandchild Scam
You get a call from someone who sounds like your grandchild or child. They are in distress and tell you that they are in jail and need bail money urgently! They also tell you not to tell anyone and give instructions on how to send the money.
Stranger Scam
You receive a text or message on social media that reads as a wrong number such as “are we still on for golf?” or “when are we meeting tomorrow?” and – reasonably – you write back to correct the sender. However, the stranger continues the conversation and before you know it you’re carrying on a conversation with someone you don’t know… and most importantly, someone whose intentions you can’t trust.
Fake Bank Scam
You’re alerted that there is fraud on your bank account and you need to call your bank to provide important verification information, but the person provides the phone number. When you call, the person is asking for your personal banking information, address, passwords and more – something your actual bank would never do over the phone.
More Tips
Scammers often exploit kindness, loneliness, or concern for loved ones to take advantage of seniors. But there’s no shame in being targeted—and you don’t have to fall for their tricks. If something feels off, pause and reach out to someone you trust for a second opinion before taking action.
Further resources – Here are some tips from the National Institute on Aging.
In the news – U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI Recover Millions for Elderly Fraud Victims