topic Re: Scam Alert in Community Chat

Scam Alert

Goodie2shoes — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:23:33 GMT

At least that's what I think it was. I don't answer my landline phone unless I know who it is. Today I had a vm from a male voice stating he was calling to discuss my back taxes. (I don't have any back taxes, none !) He left a cb # and of course I was not returning his call. I know he will get catch somebody off guard or some senior citizen who will think it's legit and give their personal info, ss# etc and scam them out of their hard earned money ! Such a shame and it makes me mad to think people take advantage of others but It's the real world. Stay safe people ! I just had to vent and put it out there and hope it helps someone. I'm sure these idiots have already got someones personal info and some of you have received that call or you know someone who has right ?

Re: Scam Alert

luvmybeetle — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 01:11:22 GMT

First of all thank you for the warning. BUT, I resent the fact that you think a senior citizen will most likely fall for this. I am a senior citizen and I would not fall for this scam. I have received many, many calls from scammers and have never fallen for any. But, I do know a few young people who would. I'm old, not stupid.

Re: Scam Alert

ellaphant — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 01:26:00 GMT

It is fact that Seniors are a prime target for such scams. My friends elderly father - A brilliant former Captain in the US Navy who worked on many sensitive engineering projects.

My friend was horrified to find out her father paid thousands in a fraudulent credit card

scam.

There's a reason Seniors are prime target.

Re: Scam Alert

KBEANS — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 01:30:43 GMT

These scammers can and do call cell phones too!

Re: Scam Alert

Goodie2shoes — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 01:35:41 GMT

@luvmybeetle wrote : I resent the fact that you think a senior citizen will most likely fall for this.

My statement read "somebody " (meaning anyone, not just a senior citizen) and I am also a Senior citizen and it's a fact that Seniors are one of the main targets of scammers. I am just trying to relay this info to everyone in hopes that it will help someone avoid being scammed. (EVERYONE) I tell my adult children about these calls so it's to all who might get this kind of call.

Re: Scam Alert

Cakers3 — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 01:43:00 GMT

@KBEANS wrote:
These scammers can and do call cell phones too!

@KBEANS And use texting!!!🤬

Re: Scam Alert

Spacrazy — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 01:43:04 GMT

It's horrific and I can't believe it still continues.

Re: Scam Alert

RedTop — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 01:57:56 GMT

@luvmybeetle

You should not take offense at this simple warning. Intelligent people continue to fall for these calls every single day. Just be thankful of your awareness, and if you have the opportunity to spread the word, don't hesitate to do so.

Our local news did a recent story on an 80+ year old woman who was scammed out of $14,000 in the Grandma scam. This woman knew about the scam, but she swore the caller was her grandson and his phone number showed up on her caller ID! After that first call she went to the bank immediately and drew out the money, which was picked up at her house by someone who fit the description "her grandson" gave her. Only after she'd handed over the money did she call her grandson back, to tell him she had paid the money to help him, which is when she learned he was fine, he did not call her, and her money was gone. She was shocked that she fell for it, and felt very stupid, "because she was sure that was her grandson!"

I don't have grandchildren, so the multiple times I've gotten the call, I went off and told my "grandson" what a low down piece of $@%& he is and how he is dead to me, and out of the will. The caller hangs up every time. But local scammers are pulling this on people they know in some way, and can get easy information on; they know how to spoof active phone numbers.

I too would like to think I will never fall for this, or any scam, but people are out there working hard to get personal information to keep scamming alive. The plain truth is that older people are the most likely to believe these calls are real, because they are often not familiar enough with technology to know how much of their information is available online to help a scammer do what they do from a computer.

Re: Scam Alert

phoenixbrd — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 01:59:28 GMT

Scams are thriving and I always appreciate the shares. Thank you @Goodie2shoes for thinking of our board. Always best to be aware and alert.

Re: Scam Alert

Pook — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 08:03:29 GMT

It has already been proven that the elderly most often fall for scams. That is why they are the most tageted. I do not take offense because I have seen friends and acquaintances over the years fall for scams and some were highly educated business people before retirement!

Re: Scam Alert

Cats3000 — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 09:51:37 GMT

@luvmybeetleI am a senior citizen and you are wrong. Scammers target senior citizens because many of them are trusting of others or may not be possession of full faculties and their children fail to check on them. The government has warned us to be especially alert.

Yes, the call most likely was a scam because the IRS doesn't call anyone; they send notices and letters I have received calls and e-mail messages that I ignore or just trash for the same reason; I don't recognize the sender and consider them trash.

Re: Scam Alert

CalminHeart — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 10:59:56 GMT

It's not an insult to reference seniors.

My dad has a PhD and is the smartest man I know. But he's in his mid 90s and beginning to have typical aging issues. That's why seniors are targeted.

He got pulled into a scam call once and I was lucky enough to catch it before it went too far. Now he doesn't take any scam calls.

I'm a senior and who knows how my mind will be in another 20 years, if I'm lucky enough to be alive.

Re: Scam Alert

rms1954 — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 11:45:40 GMT

@luvmybeetle wrote:
First of all thank you for the warning. BUT, I resent the fact that you think a senior citizen will most likely fall for this. I am a senior citizen and I would not fall for this scam. I have received many, many calls from scammers and have never fallen for any. But, I do know a few young people who would. I'm old, not stupid.

Could you resent this well-known fact because you worry about aging?

Re: Scam Alert

Estellee — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 13:38:28 GMT

That's unreal, rarely do these people get caught

Re: Scam Alert

zitawins — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 16:16:02 GMT

I probably fit the "senior" designation, although I detest the term. Yesterday, I spent two hours with the good folks at Microsoft because I had the dreaded Windows Defender hack on my computer. They locked my PC and indicated I should call the Windows support phone #.

Needless to say, I didn't call it. I'm savvy enough for that. My PC has a separate Microsoft posting for news, weather, etc. and one of the links I clicked on must have contained the virus. No more catching up on news that way!

I would never call those scam numbers; I check with the website first (banks, credit cards, and so forth). That's why I do not click any links from posters on the Forum, too. Never know where the hackers will strike.

Re: Scam Alert

MamaWick — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 16:58:19 GMT

Many of us are indeed smart enough not to fall for these scams TODAY, but tomorrow or next week, there is no guarantee we won't.

Re: Scam Alert

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 18:26:35 GMT

@luvmybeetle wrote:
First of all thank you for the warning. BUT, I resent the fact that you think a senior citizen will most likely fall for this. I am a senior citizen and I would not fall for this scam. I have received many, many calls from scammers and have never fallen for any. But, I do know a few young people who would. I'm old, not stupid.

@luvmybeetle

People of all ages fall for scams. Sometimes, the callers can sound very legit. However, their goal is to find the stupid people ... of any age.

Re: Scam Alert

bonnielu — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 02:17:36 GMT

I am a senior and I am aware we seem to be an easy target. Not working with time on our hands we tend to answer the phone more often. However being a senior does not automatically make us stupid. I am a retired teacher and had to deal with all kinds of FUN for 30 years. It has been attempted but hopefully I have always gotten the last word. Grandparent scam... I kept the guy on for over an hour pretending he was my grandson. I guess I had nothing to do that afternoon. How in the world can my grandson have my last name if I have all daughters. When I finally pointed that out he hung up. That is just one example.

My advice DO NOT ANSWER THE PHONE IF THE NUMBER IS UNKNOWN. DON'T OPEN ANY EMAIL WITHOUT USING YOUR CURSOR TO IDENTIFY THE EMAIL ADDRESS OF THE SO CALLED SENDER. And never give out information if you make a mistake if contacted. And while I am at NEVER NEVER NEVER USE THE WORD "yes" if you ever have any conversation with a person you do not know.

Re: Scam Alert

teganslaw — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 12:15:43 GMT

Not everyone of past generations is trusting. My father never trusted any stranger and thought that a person has to prove themselves first. My mother didn't think highly of authority figures and had no use for certain government figures or organizations. Many times she was proven right.

I was brought up to question things and not believe everything officials told us. Just because they are in power doesn't mean they're intelligent. I never click on suspicious links or answer numbers I don't recognize.

Re: Scam Alert

JoyFilled Warrior — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 15:25:27 GMT

Hi @Goodie2shoes

Thank you for this "heads up."

The scammers are still out there. If there's any doubt about it, look how many *non-elderly* ppl dipped into, & scammed the PPP money that Gov't offered during COVID -- totals were millions!!.

Money, scams never stop, it seems, Elderly targets or not. Look at the numerous TV preachers who prey on ppl for money, thru their "desperate tears."

Years ago, my beloved, (late now) Dad was awakened in the middle of the night by someone who told him it was his daughter calling and needed money. In his sleepiness, regardless of his age, he responded asking if this was (my name). They said "yes, & that I was desperate for the money."

Fortunately, I kept in touch with my beloved Dad, very, very often.

The next day when I often called, he told me he's going to the bank to withdraw the money & would send it to me that day. I asked, "Dad? What's up? I never called asking for money??" It was a scam call that he almost paid, targeted in the middle of the night!

I told him, NO MONEY. DONT EVEN GO TO THE BANK. in case anything would happen to him at the Bank even.

Scams happens.

I had an elderly widow neighbor, whose husband just recently passed away. Some crooks, regularly read the OBITs for Widows, Widowers, preying on their new singleness, regardless of age. He came on strong with her that now that her husband had died, she needs extra protection! And sold her some "Added Security."

Scams are scams. Always have been, unfortunately, perhaps always will be, as far back as presented coercion to eating a piece of fruit from a verboten tree, & this, regardless of age.

ONE ANTIDOTE:

Keep in touch with our beloveds! Helps forestall scams & scammers,

Plus, gives lotsa "lov'n" to our friends, neighbors, family & loved ones.

Creative scammers are out there, regardless of the target's age, & yeah, they do include scamming the elderly. Converse with, & keep in frequent touch is one possible antidote to these gosh darn Scammers!!