Tips to Spot a Scam
BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF NEBRASKA
No matter your age, no one is immune to scams. In the most recent 2021 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, online purchase scams were the riskiest scams for all age groups, with people aged 65+ reporting a higher median loss ($200) than all other age groups. Regardless of the type of scam, BBB recommends the following precautions to avoid becoming a victim.
Watch out for phone fraud. The Federal Trade Commission reports that fraudulent telemarketers often direct their calls at older adults. Scammers will claim to be with a government agent or pose as a bank employee. They may sound friendly and courteous or aggressive and threatening. They may even have a caller ID to match their claims.
However, caller IDs can be easily spoofed and government agencies do not make unsolicited calls. It is vital to cultivate a healthy distrust for unsolicited callers and avoid sharing personal information. Never feel pressured to act. When in doubt, hangup the phone and call the official source to verify unexpected or unusual claims. You can also reduce the number of unsolicited calls by registering your phone number with the National Do-Not-Call registry at 1-888-382-1222 or Donotcall.gov.
Know the red flags. Most scammers use common tactics to get your money or personal information. Keep an eye out for the following too-good-to-be-true claims:
“Free,” “low cost,” or “buy one, get one” deal
Request for unusual payment types (i.e. prepaid debit cards or wired funds)
Claims that you only pay postage or administrative fees
Deals that must be secured with a credit card or bank account information
Sure-fire investment opportunities
Charities that send 100% of your donation directly to the victims
Guard your personal information carefully.
Never share your personal information with a stranger on the phone, in an email, on a social media network, or otherwise. Keep careful records of your transactions by reviewing your bank and credit card statements regularly. Check them for accuracy and then shred any documents that include personal information. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a scam that targets older adults, report it at BBB.org/ScamTracker.