SCAMS FRAUD and ABUSE! Observations and Lessons Even the best of - - PDF document

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Cha harlottesville/Albemarle TRIA RIAD

SCAMS FRAUD and ABUSE!

• Medicare – FTC Video

Observations and Lessons

• Even the best of us can let out guard down…
• If you don’t recognize the caller… Don’t answer the phone
• Or..Just hang up
• Most of the time, if its’ lost, its’ lost
• She reported the crime and was able to get help
• Knowledge is power
• How do we learn more?
• Form partnerships like TRIAD, and share … Stay informed

What is TRIAD

• TRIAD is a cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies, senior

citizens, and senior organizations, focused on reducing crimes against

• ur most vulnerable citizens: our seniors.
• TRIAD was established in 1988 when three national organizations agreed that the elderly could

better be protected by cooperative efforts. The relationship was cemented when the organizations

• the Ameri

rican an Associat ation of Retired Pers rsons (AARP), International Associat ation of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and the National Sheri riffs' Associat ation (NSA) - signed a cooperative agreement.

Charlottesville/Albemarle TRIAD

• TRIAD is coordinated at the state level through the Office of the

Attorney General - OAG

• The Charlottesville/Albemarle TRIAD consists of the Albemarle County

and the City of Charlottesville Police Departments, City of Charlottesville Sheriffs Office, the Albemarle County Sheriffs Office, as well as senior and retired volunteers who have committed to work together to reduce criminal victimization of senior citizens.

• This is our local support group… we own this

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Charlottesville/Albemarle TRIAD Goal

• The goal of TRIAD is to reduce the fear of crime and victimization

among seniors by increasing awareness of scams and frauds targeting

• ur 55 and older population,
• Strengthen communication between the law enforcement and senior

communities,

• and inform seniors of local, state, and federal resources that are

available.

• We want to be Empowered Seniors not victims.

Why – Target Seniors

• Baby Boomers
• Born between 1946 -1964 (the Leading-Edge 1946-1955)
• The fastest growing community in the nation.
• Right now there are 10,000 folks per day turning 65.
• By 2025 25% of Virginia’s population will be 60+
• Play on our Fears
• Frailties of aging
• Dependence on others
• Isolation – not exposed to awareness of scams

Who are the perpetrators?

• Strangers - preying on older people who may be isolated, lonely,

confused, or desperate for attention.

• Family members - to whom the person wants to stay connected.
• Caregivers - (family and other) who use fear or guilt to take

advantage of a senior.

5 things you need to remember about SCAMS

• If the Offer Seems Too Good to be True, it is
• Never Pay up front
• Always take 24 hours to make a decision
• Don’t Click on links
• If in doubt Call the OAG Consumer Protection Hot Line –
• (804) 786-2042

SCAMS

• #1 The Offer Seems Too Good to be True …
• It almost certainly is.
• Examples include money left to you from an unknown relative, being awarded

a loan or grant for which you did not apply, winning a lottery you did not enter and being selected to receive a share in funds in return for using your bank account.

Scams in VA

• CONSUMER ALERT: ATTORNEY GENERAL HERRING WARNS

VIRGINIANS ABOUT IRS IMPOSTER SCAMS

• Attorney General Mark Herring cautioned consumers to remain

vigilant about IRS/tax imposter scams. - RICHMOND (September 2016)

• The Virginia Attorney General’s Office has received many reports of

instances in which Virginia residents were contacted via telephone or e-mail by an individual who claimed to be with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) trying to trick consumers into making payments or giving up their personal information.

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Scams in general

• E-mails may appear official with government seals and logos.
• To make things worse, the scammers often have technology that

masks their caller ID information, or may indicate that the call is coming from the IRS when it, in fact, it’s not.

Jury Scams

• Citizens have been targeted by phone calls and emails,

threatening them with prosecution for failing to comply with jury service in federal or state courts.

• In the calls and emails, recipients are pressured to provide

confidential data, potentially leading to identity theft and

• fraud. These calls and emails, which threaten recipients

with fines and jail time if they do not comply, are fraudulent and are not connected with any U.S. court.

• Scammers actually used the phone number for Sheriff's

Office.

Scams

• They Want your Private Personal Information
• Many scams involve getting hold of your bank account details. Scams

involving identity theft also seek personal information.

• A common scenario is an email supposedly from a bank asking you to

click on a link to confirm your bank details and password.

• If you think the email has really come from your bank, pick up the

phone and confirm this with them, but banks don’t do this.

• Never click on links or attachments in emails from people you don’t

know or you risk your computer becoming infected by viruses, trojans, or other malware.

Scams

• #2 Requests for Fees – Never Pay up front
• Scammers will want advance payments or fees to clear the funds or

complete their offer.

• It might not be clear what the fees are for, but the scammer will tell you they

have to be paid or the money can’t be released.

• They might suggest they are only trying to help you out and the fees are a

small sum compared to what you will be receiving.

• Never pay fees or taxes in advance.
• #3 Take time to make any decision, do your research

SCAMS – Most Common

• Medicare – FTC Video
• Foreign Lotteries
• Tech Support Scams – FTC Video link
• Home Repair or Improvement scams
• Grandparent Scam
• Phishing e-mails OR TEXT – Problem with bank account
• Phony Charities – Police or Fire
• Investment – Free lunch seminar for investments – SEC Link
• Medical – Natural cures, weight loss
• “Sweetheart” Swindles
• Phony Rx – Phone or letter, may appear to be from Medicare
• Identity Theft Video – asking for SSN or bank account number

SCAMS – Don’t

• #4 Don’t click on hyperlinks in e-mails
• Don’t say “Yes” on the phone
• They may be recording the call
• Don’t throw it away! Be careful what you throw in the trash -

“Dumpster Divers”

• Use a paper Shredder
• Don’t Pay by Wire Transfer
• Don’t Pay by Gift Card
• Don’t buy a Gift Card when the code is already scratched off!
• Don’t buy a Pre-paid Debit card – beware of hidden fees

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#5 Call for Resources, Check them out!

• 911
• Non-Emergency (434) 977-9041 – Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle ECC
• Charlottesville-Albemarle TRIAD - www.CharlottesvilleAlbemarleTriad.org
• Office of the Attorney General – (800) 552-9963 – Consumer Protection Hot Line
• If victim of Identity Theft get the ID Theft Passport issued by the OAG
• Report & Get a copy of the Incident Report
• The ID Theft Passport is issued by the OAG
• “Do Not Call” registry – (888) 382-1222 www.donotcall.gov
• Scam Alerts from the FTC ftc.gov/scams also (877) – ID-Theft

Resources

• Medicare - (800) MEDICARE
• Annual Credit Report www.AnnualCreditReport.com
• Adult Protective Services (888) 832-3858
• JABA (434) 817-5222 www.jabacares.org
• www.Crimemapping.com

www.CharlottesvilleAlbemarleTriad.org CALocalTriad@gmail.com

What are 5 things you need to remember about Scams

• If the Offer Seems Too Good to be True, it almost certainly is
• Never Pay up front – Never pay $ to get $
• Always take 24 hours to make a decision – Sleep on it
• Don’t Click on links / Check before you Click
• If in doubt – Check them out
• Call the OAG Consumer Protection Hot Line - (804) 786-2042 / (800) 552-9963
• Call Local Law Enforcement

Test your knowledge

Fact or Fiction Spam Scam Slam

Other Safety Presentations

• House of Worship Security
• Active Shooter
• General Home Safety
• Personal Safety and Awareness
• Emergency Preparedness

www.CharlottesvilleAlbemarleTriad.org CALocalTriad@gmail.com

Tha hank you!