The day of awareness for elder abuse is June 15, 2023. According to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) most recent newsletter, more than one in ten persons in the United States over the age of 60 experience maltreatment every year.
Including physical violence and neglect, elder abuse can take many different forms. Yet, financial swindles that target senior citizens and retired Americans also happen often. In 2022, the FTC received 200,216 reports of fraud involving older citizens.
Protecting Seniors from Social Security Scams and Abuse
Recently, the SSA revealed certain warning signals of financial exploitation of the elderly.
You may assist in safeguarding the senior citizens in your life by recognizing these warning indicators as well as being aware of the most typical scams and how to avoid them.
Fraudsters will come up with inventive ways to steal retired Individuals’ savings. Friends and family members will occasionally approach elderly people with the intention of persuading them to amend their wills, open credit cards in their name, or move bank accounts into their names.
But, con artists can also be total strangers who employ phishing tricks and other strategies to access money and accounts.
Your loved one might get a call, text, or email that appears to be from the Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, Medicare, or another government agency. Money or bank account information may be requested by the organization.
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Identifying Fraudulent Calls and Emails
Recognize that these organizations never call or email in order to avoid falling for this con. They communicate using US mail.
Scammers should be reported to the FTC to help curb this kind of fraud.
There are several techniques to spot a phony call or email. Keep in mind that we will never
- threaten to terminate your benefits, have you arrested, or take other legal action if you don’t pay a fine or fee.
- In exchange for money, guarantee a benefit increase or other help.
- Demand payment with a prepaid debit card, cash, wire transfer, retail gift card, or online currency.
- You will be required to handle a Social Security-related issue in confidence.
- Send formal emails with letters or reports that include personally identifying information.
It is doubtful that we will get in touch with you if you don’t have any regular business with our company. Once more, if you receive an ominous call purporting to be from us or law enforcement regarding Social Security, you should hang up and immediately report it to our Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov.
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