Scam Alert Category Introduction

[StarSong]

It's no secret that senior citizens are considered low hanging fruit for scammers. Americans over 55 control approximately 73% of the wealth in the US, so we're very attractive targets.

Romantic partner scammers prey on the lonely. Other scammers exploit our naivete and fears. (OMG - my grandson is in the hospital/jail?)

They scrape enough personal information from the internet to concoct plausible stories, emphasize urgency, and capitalize on our momentary confusion. That, along with our deference to those representing themselves as bank managers, government officials, doctors, lawyers or members of security teams or law enforcement, can cost us thousands, tens of thousands, or more.

This forum category is a place to share cautionary news stories or personal experiences about internet, phone, business and person-to-person scams, trickery, fraud, etc., as well as advice for how to avoid them.

Some existing threads about scams may be moved here.

 

[Fritz]

Great idea!

 

[Jules]

Good idea.

I may quote stories I hear or read from Kim Komando‘s podcast or newsletter. One of her repeated warnings is about chatting with someone on social sites. If they suggest you go to WhatsApp, don’t. They‘re setting it up so they can’t be traced.

 

[RadishRose]

Thanks @StarSong

 

[Imogene]

There are so many different types of scams going on in middle Tennessee, it’s pathetic. IMHO it’s actually epidemic, especially where the elderly are concerned.

This is just one of many. This one in particular is about people who posed as DEA agents and scammed a 77 year-old out of $55,000. I’m not sure if she got that money back but they were trying to get her for another 38,000 and they got caught.

Scammers posing as federal agents scam elderly TN woman out of $55K in cash

why none of us should not trust anybody we don’t know and some that we do know

 

[mrstime]

And the older you get the worse it gets. What ever you do, don't give anyone your phone number.

 

[Jules]

5 Tips from Kim Komando’s newsletter, October 5th newsletter, The Current. It’s free

Every crime has a setup. In five recent cases, scammers turned online breadcrumbs into jackpots. I want you to know how to make sure you’re not their next payday.​

Your relationships​ ​

Scammers stalk grief like predators. A Pennsylvania widow was conned out of her entire life savings, over $200,000 plus her home, by a romance scammer she met on Facebook. A 63-year-old widower sold his condo and wired $80,000 to a “friend” who convinced him to invest in a sure crypto thing.​

Pro tip: Don’t list “widowed” on dating or social apps. To criminals, it’s a dollar sign. ​

Your vacations​ ​

One woman proudly shared a pic of her cruise tickets on Facebook. Scammers used her booking code to hijack the account and cancel the trip to get the refund. She lost $15,000, a vacation and her family’s respect in one click.​

Pro tip: Post vacation pics after the trip. Announcing you’re away makes you a target for hackers and burglars. ​

Your videos​ ​

AI deepfakes are a booming business. One TikTok user found her face and voice cloned to sell knockoff diet pills. Thieves raked in tens of thousands using her identity.​

Pro tip: Set your videos to private or limit followers. The better the footage, the easier you are to clone. ​

Your sales​ ​

In South Carolina, a man listed a limited-edition PlayStation online. When he met the “buyer,” instead of cash, he got a gun in his face. The robber made off with the console plus his phone, watch and wallet for a $3,000+ haul.​

Pro tip: Meet in a police station parking lot. If a buyer balks, they aren't legit. ​

‍ Your miles​ ​

GPS walking, hiking and biking routes can be a jackpot for burglars. Secret Service agents accidentally exposed patrol patterns for the president and others on Strava. Home break-ins have been tied to thieves tracking when residents aren’t home.​

Pro tip: Lock down your fitness app privacy settings. Hide the start and end points near your house.​

 

[OneEyedDiva]

I think this is excellent! Thank you Star. Scams are getting more sophisticated and more frequent.

 

[StarSong]

I think this is excellent! Thank you Star. Scams are getting more sophisticated and more frequent.

You're welcome! New scams appear on a regular basis. We must remain vigilant and get the word out to others.

 

[StarSong]

If you come across a scam, please start a new thread about it under this category so the info doesn't get lost after a few pages.