Have you ever been scammed as a senior ?

When I worked in the claims dept. at the insurance co, I remember this scam-
A ring was going around a neighborhood. They knocked at the door of an elderly woman living alone and told her they had repaired the roof on her next door neighbors house a year ago.

Now they said came to check up on the roof, and they were offering a free estimates for the neighbors and could they come in to check her ceilings for water damage? She let them in.

One kept her in the kitchen chatting while the other went to a bedroom and soaked an area or two of the ceiling with tea. Then they brought her to see the "water damage".

After offering to fix the leaks, they brought her to her bank in their van where she withdrew the amount of cash they'd ask for. I don't recall the amount but it was alot. She gave them the money.

Back in the van they drove a short distance, gave her a few dollars and threw her out of the van. They took off and left her there.

Outrageous!
 

Scammed is such a great catchall word. I would categorize my experiences as being conned both legally and illegally. Buying a two year phone contract is a case in point. After getting involved with one that lasted 8 years I decided I had enough and bought one I could afford with no contract. Locking myself into a package deal with my local satellite provider and older DSL technology for 2 years was a mistake that is now half over and the X-cable company doesn't have $2,000 of my money. Dish/Cable cutting is closer to reality now, because technology is growing faster that the cable conglomerates can control it and the current programming is dismal.

Pyramid schemes (Vitalizers, diamonds, silver coins,,,etc.) were rampant at my former work. I usually took a spectator approach to them but came this close )( to buying US Savings Bonds even had my 2 buyers/victims lined up then chose not to get involved. Had my usual emails offering me a chance to share the vast riches from some African diplomat who had been ousted before he could get his $80M out of country all I needed to do was send a cashiers check for $X dollars to cover expenses. Listed a pool table on a local TV station classified ad and was contacted by a merchant marine that was out at sea, he wanted to send me a cashier's check then have his buddy pick up the table.

If I had a dollar for every lottery/contest I had won without entering I think I would have my $M. I will not sit here and tell you I'm too smart to get scammed! There are a million con artists looking for people like me. Everyone is susceptible to fraud and we seniors are easy targets. Lonely, we live for our mail and if we get any visitors even the missionaries, we welcome them with open arms. Confusion, drug interaction are their allies. Our friends and relatives endorse cons unknowingly at times and it makes us more comfortable giving up our hard earned retirement or SS to be included.

My attitude and approach is part of my overall budget and financial planning, patience is our ally and if we take the time to investigate, ask questions and think it over we usually make a better decision. I've bought into too many deals that are only available for a limited time and they have other buyers lined up! Fair warning I've been told that Grant Affleck was my relative.
 
Not implying we are getting taken but it does not stop those from trying. I do not care for the legit begging as you check out of the grocery stores. Or in some cities beggars that when they are done hope into a new car when done.
 

My husband fell for one, he was a very trusting man. It was also greed. He advertised wanted cushman scooters and someone called. They wanted $100 as a payment of good faith. Like I said greed! He was so embarrassed to tell me. I would not have told a soul if I was stupid enough to do that. I asked him once if he would give our account numbers if the bank called and ask for them. He said yes, but the truth was he did not know them or how to find them. He would have said call back when the wife comes home. :playful:
 
Vala said:
My husband fell for one, he was a very trusting man. It was also greed. He advertised wanted cushman scooters and someone called. They wanted $100 as a payment of good faith. Like I said greed! He was so embarrassed to tell me. I would not have told a soul if I was stupid enough to do that. I asked him once if he would give our account numbers if the bank called and ask for them. He said yes, but the truth was he did not know them or how to find them. He would have said call back when the wife comes home. :playful:
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The up front money is usual a Big clue, or the money for nothing trick. So sorry. Even the legit charities are in it to help them self, very few that need help get it. I mean the red cross CEO makes high six figures and cancer never finds a cure just treatments.

 
Over the years, I have investigated so many scams that I could write a book. Just like the idiots that put out viruses on the computers, as soon as you clean one up another shows up. Just before I retired, I had to go to a man's home and he told me that he had tried to save some money by hiring a roofer that was going to save him a few thousand bucks. The roofer asked for half down, so he could buy the materials. He said it sounded logical to him, so he paid him. Roofer and money both gone.
 
My husband was a very trusting man, I am never trusting if someone wanted our money. Not ever the kids, even though we did help them. They would spend their pay check then want some of our savings to pay their bills.
 
Vala said:
My husband was a very trusting man, I am never trusting if someone wanted our money. Not ever the kids, even though we did help them. They would spend their pay check then want some of our savings to pay their bills.
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Sad to say some relatives can be behind scams because they know so much personal info. Also when you buy something how do you know its for real could be watered down. All I know really tired of the many ways one can be taken advantage of.
 
pchrise said:
Sad to say some relatives can be behind scams because they know so much personal info. Also when you buy something how do you know its for real could be watered down. All I know really tired of the many ways one can be taken advantage of.
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Anyone you give information to including office staff that take down your personal information is capable of doing such, happens all the time here in Fl, some offices have implemented code only files that don't contain social security and other types of info connected to names and such because of this. So thinking one can never fall victim. Ha, we can only hope and be smart where we face the kinds that are in our face. When you have DMV workers, hospital workers and the like stealing your info and selling it, all bets are off. Not everyday common occurrence, but unfortunately it happens.
 
I try to be safe, but won't worry my about security or if someone gets my info. I never get a rewards card, I don't give out my phone number or address to a clerk. I routinely scan my PC and use WOT to warn me of unsafe sites on the net. I have hung huge wind chimes on the wooden slats over my window wells, no burglar can sneak in with those noisy things hanging there. I have outside lights on at night. My CC is with my husbands company credit union and has been since the 70's, so easy to stop it. They call about any unusual purchase or places that get hacked like Target. They always say old software is not safe, XP is not safe, but what is it going do... blow up in my face. I don't have one personal item on this PC and never use my real name, on email or online except for Amazon. There is no banking info on my PC. People say "if burglars want in, they will find a way". Sure they will if they know you have a gun collection or a fortune in diamonds.
 
True, I'm not going to worry myself sick about it, just saying these things can happen to anyone and be aware and watch your statements, be smart about your dealings, but don't imprison one's self in the process.
 
I don't think anyone can scam me because I am not looking for a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. I just won't part with my money.
 

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