Category Archives: Scam Awareness

Romance Scams and Older Adults: Stay Alert to Avoid Danger!

Looking for love online is more popular than ever for singles of any age. However, that comes some emotional and financial costs for some vulnerable older adults. In fact, these scams bilked adults age 60 and over out of $139 million in 2020, according to the Federal Trade Commission. That compared to $84 million the…

If “Becky From Medicare” Calls, Hang Up! Here’s Why

Have you ever received a call from someone who said they were “Becky from Medicare”? This may sound innocent enough at first blush, but there have been many reports of fraudulent calls where someone identifies themselves this way. Here’s the scoop on what’s happening and why you don’t want to engage with “Becky from Medicare.”…

Avoid These Scams Targeting Seniors in 2022

We’ve all heard the adage, “If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.” That’s a good phrase to keep in mind as certain types of scams continue to plague seniors. Some of these scams are oldies but goodies that have affected older adults for many years. Others are scams that are linked…

We all could use a little more love, especially with the state of the world as it is today. However, if a new offer for love online seems too good to be true, then you’re probably right. Don’t let your heart go wild just yet, because romance scams are a multimillion dollar business. In fact,…

From romance scams to COVID-19 vaccine scams, there seems to be no shortage of scams that target older adults nowadays. The details may vary, but the basic premise is to try and get personal information and/or money from an unsuspecting senior. Scams also may change over time to take advantage of the latest technology. Here’s…

Make Sure to Avoid These Scams This Holiday Season

The holiday season can be a joyous time to connect with loved ones, attend religious services (virtually or online), and exchange gifts. Unfortunately, it also can be a time when we’re left more vulnerable to financial scams. Although seniors aren’t the only ones who may fall for financial scams, they definitely are more vulnerable than…

Be Aware of COVID-19 Scams That Want to Take Your Money or Personal Information

By Melissa M. Leedom, CPA, Secure Aging With the economic and emotional fear from COVID-19 still very real, Americans are more vulnerable to scams that may try to steal their money or personal information. In fact, as of early July, Americans have lost a staggering $78.7 million due to fraud this year, according to the…