People 65 and older
make up about 13
percent of the total U.S. population, but account for about 30 percent
of its scam victims. Information about scams and fraud targeting
seniors in North Carolina is available from the NC Secretary of State's
Office and the NC Attorney General's Office.
For more information contact:
NC
Secretary of State's Office / 919-733-3924
NC
Attorney General's Office / 919-716-6400
Tips to protect
yourself:
Never give your credit card, bank account or
social security numbers on a sweepstakes entry form or to a telephone
solicitor.
Never send money to telemarketers who
say you’ve won a prize. Any prize award that requires you to
first send money to cover taxes or other costs before the prize can be
sent to you is a scam.
To avoid telephone solicitation and
scams, sign up for the national “Do Not Call”
Registry.
It’s easy and it’s free! Call (888) 382-1222, TTY
(866)
290-4326 from the phone number you want to register. You can also
register online at www.donotcall.gov. Registration does not last
forever. It expires after five years. You will not receive a renewal
notice so note the date you register and keep it with your records.
Medicare Drug Plan Fraud -
Medicare-approved drug discount cards were phased out by May 15, 2006.
They were replaced by new Medicare drug plans in January 1, 2006.
Seniors are being targeted by phony direct mail, TV, radio and
newspaper offers about Medicare drug plans. Medicare prohibits
companies offering it’s approved drug cards from calling you,
sending e-mails or coming to your home unless you ask them. You CANNOT
get a Medicare Drug Plan card unless you are eligible for the federal
program and sign up wth the program with the U.S. Government. If you
are interested in the benefits available to you as a Medicare
beneficiary, visit the federal government’s Medicare website (www.medicare.gov.
You also can call 800-MEDICARE (800-633- 4227).
Charity Scams - Research a charity
before you give. Contact a charity watchdog organization, such as the
American Institute of Philanthropy (www.charitywatch.org
or 773-529-2300). Since some bogus charities use
“sound-alike” names for legitimate charities, ask
for a
spelling of the charity and write down the name and address before
making the inquiry. The public can access information about nonprofit
charities on the GuideStar website (www.guidestar.org).
This free Internet service has a simple search tool for users who want
to verify a nonprofit's legitimacy, learn whether a contribution will
be tax deductible, view a nonprofit's recent 990 forms, or find out
more about a charity’s mission, programs and finances.
•
Real Estate Fraud - Before buying
property, always seek a second opinion about the value of the property
or the legitimacy of the proposal. If you decide to buy a home, use
your own inspector and have them check for structural defects. Spending
a couple hundred dollars up front can save you thousands after you move
in.
Investment Fraud - Everyone would like
to see his or her money grow faster. Con artists know this, and they
try to convince people to buy phony investments with promises of
unusually high returns. Before you sign anything, get a second opinion,
and research the broker and their company. Have an attorney review the
proposal. Research through North American Securities Administrators
Association website (www.nasaa.org).
The National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), a
self-regulatory organization governing stockbrokers, may be able to
give you a partial disciplinary history on a broker or firm. Call
800-289-9999 or visit the NASD website (www.nasd.com)
Pyramid Schemes - DON’T GET
INVOLVED. This is a type of investment fraud in which the promoters
recruit investors and then use them to recruit more investors. Pyramid
schemes are often sold as “investment clubs” or
“gifting circles” and can involve the sale of
products or
distributorships. Eventually, the organizers run off with the cash.
Shepherd's Center
of Greensboro is open
to all older adults 60+ or retired. Membership is not required to
participate, volunteer, or receive services.
