Sweepstake scams are also common. A check is sent to your house with a letter saying “You’ve won!” Then, it instructs you to deposit the check and wire a portion back to the scammer to cover taxes or some other fee. The problem is the check is counterfeit and you’ve wired away your hard-earned money.
If you know the warning signs, these scams can be avoided. Here are some tips:
• Never give out your personal information (Social Security number, credit card information, bank account number) to anyone you don’t feel comfortable with or are unfamiliar with.
• Never wire money or send pre-paid debit cards to strangers.
• Check in with other family members to confirm the story if a relative calls needing money. Also ask the caller questions only the relative would know. If the caller doesn’t know the answer, it’s a red flag.
• Be wary of someone who calls claiming you won a prize, then asks for payment. Prizes are free.
Special event
If you’d like more information on senior scams, join your Better Business Bureau as it participates in a Senior Resource Expo for Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Thursday, June 16, at the Trotwood YMCA, 506 E. Main St., Trotwood, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The event is free to the public and is hosted by the Collaboration Against Abuse Neglect Exploitation (CAANE). The event will feature a presentation from your BBB on identify theft, as well as Scam Bingo, along with a variety of other informative presentations from local community organizations.
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