Watch Out for Your Parents and Grandparents

On the FBI website, there are specific warnings for senior citizens: http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud/seniors.

Often targeted because they're homeowners or likely to have excellent credit, senior citizens were raised in a different era, where the snake oil peddler scams were in your face, and later in the mail. Today's Internet crimes and telephone scams are increasingly targeting our parents and grandparents.

It's not that they're stupid! They most certainly are not! However, some of our older relatives are simply not accustomed to the variety and sophistication of these scammers. Plus, seniors are likely to be too embarrassed to admit that they were victims of a scam and afraid that you'll think they're losing their marbles.

Look, there are plenty of young people who fall for the BULL DROPPINGS, so we can't blame our seniors for falling into the same traps. Watch out for your older family members and be sure to warn them when there's a new scam going around -- like the VISA scam in my previous post.

We all have to watch out for the BULL DROPPINGS! No one is immune to a scammer, we can only keep our eyes open and when your BS meter is ding-ding-dinging like a smoke alarm after you burnt the cookies, you can pretty much be sure that there's more than just smoke in your eyes!

Watch out for your parents and grandparents, you just never know when the newest scam will blindside you and them. And if they're being taken advantage of by a friend, family member, or new love interest, call your local Adult Protective Services. Sometimes APS can get the money or property back if you report it quickly. Elder abuse, physical, mental and financial, is a crime. Don't let your loved ones be victims!

VISA Telephone Scam

Just posted on my credit union's website!

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!!! IMPORTANT MESSAGE !!!


Members have reported receiving phone calls from ”Visa” saying: “a temporary block has been placed on your card; if you would like to reactivate your card, press 1 and enter your 16 digit card number.”

*** *** FCU nor any of our affiliates have initiated these calls. Please keep in mind that you should NEVER respond to this type of request and you should NEVER provide your account or personal information to unknown third parties.

Please contact *** *** if you have any questions or need further assistance.
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Great.

Just great. Now they're calling people on the phone, trying to get their VISA credit card numbers.

Don't fall for these BULL DROPPINGS!

Never, ever, ever give your credit card number or personal information to someone who CLAIMS to be from your bank, credit union or credit card. Instead, hang up and call your bank, credit union or credit card directly. The telephone numbers are on your bank statements, in the phone book, online and on the back of your credit card.

And don't forget to notify your bank when you get calls, e-mails or other communications from scammers trying to fleece you like a sheep on shearing day!

Don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS!
(And don't laugh, these scams must work or the scammers wouldn't be working so hard at them...)