One of the fastest growing crime trends of the last decade is financial crimes. The architects of financial crimes and their ploys run the gamut. From Pickpockets to Con Artists…from Credit Card Fraud to Identity Theft, the opportunities to become a victim of a financial crime are endless.
We can often recognize the danger of criminals and their tools. If I were to ask you, “What types of weapons are used to commit crimes?” I think our lists would be similar; guns, knives, baseball bats, etc. Did you ever think the US Mail and your telephone would be used as weapons?!?
Scammers can come right to your mailbox
Our elderly citizens have become the focus of scams that take advantage of their trusting natures and love of their families. I call these the ‘Grandma/Grandpa’ scams. The victim receives a telephone call from a young person identifying themselves as a grandchild. The grandparent may remark that it doesn’t sound like their ‘Johnnie or Suzie’…the caller responds that they have a sore throat or don’t feel well. The caller will tell the victim that they took a trip on short notice to Canada, Mexico or the UK and have suffered a misfortune. Either the grandchild was injured in a car wreck, or all of the occupants of the car were arrested. The caller pleads for the grandparents help. If only grandma or grandpa will wire transfer money…”I will be released from jail” or “I can receive medical care for my injuries”. What grandparent will refuse these cries for help. Unfortunately, it is not their grandchild on the phone…it is a thief. Once the money is transferred it cannot be retrieved…and the thieves cannot be traced. Information needed for this scam can be obtained in a number of ways. Applications where young people list their grandparents as a reference can be compromised. Bogus websites offering online loan applications gather all of the information needed to victimize a family member.
Losing your life savings whether it’s $5,000 or $500,000 is devastating, especially to a senior citizen. Oftentimes when seniors are victims of these scams, it erodes their self confidence and places them in positions of losing their independence.
Money = independence, pride, and autonomy
Share this information with your family and friends. Have a discussion with the seniors in your life and be mindful of the information you share with others.
For more information about scams and other financial crimes visit the Comsumer Protection section of the Office of the Attorney General at www.myfloridalegal.com and the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov
