Community Chat

[Goodie2shoes]

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 ?   

[luvmybeetle]

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.

[ellaphant]

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.

[KBEANS]

These scammers can and do call cell phones too! 

[Goodie2shoes]

@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.   

[Cakers3]

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@KBEANS wrote:

These scammers can and do call cell phones too! 

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@KBEANS  And use texting!!!🤬

[Spacrazy]

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

[RedTop]

@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.  

[phoenixbrd]

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

[Pook]

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!