Financial Scams

It can happen to the best of us- one enticing phone call promising easy money for a little bit of info, or one sad story that tugs at our heartstrings, and just like that, we’ve been swindled. And perhaps most galling: it may be people we most trust, or most…

No one likes to think of themselves as being vulnerable or unable to look out for themselves. But the reality is that unsuspecting seniors are disproportionately the targets of fraud and scams, although apparently, many may not realize how personally vulnerable they are. In a new report put out by…

How many times have you heard this story: an older person, usually cautious in life, has somehow been conned into sending money to some far-flung place. Maybe it’s even happened to you or your loved ones. How to explain this vulnerability to being scammed in otherwise smart, careful people? Well,…

With Valentine’s Day, our thoughts often turn to romance and love. But for some sinister prowlers, professing love and affection may just be a way to prey on the vulnerable, and seniors are frequently the target of such “sweetheart scams.” Especially for seniors who are active online, and who may…

For virtually all seniors, social security plays an important role in their financial health and well being. And for savvy computer hackers, it’s a rich target for identity theft and financial scams. A recent report in Reuters describes how the push to encourage seniors to create online social security accounts…

As the year winds down and you prepare for your usual year-end activities- gift purchases, charity donations, holiday gatherings- make sure you watch out for another holiday tradition: scamming unsuspecting buyers and donors who may be caught off guard as they’re caught up in the holiday spirit. From packages that…