Watch Out for Scams!

Crooks will do anything to get your money from you. These days, you even have to worry about a scammer stealing your identity. Sadly, seniors are often the target.

There are things you can do to protect yourself from scam artists. The first step is to learn about scams, and this chapter will help you do just that.

The first section of this chapter will tell you about some different scams that target Maine seniors. The second section will give you tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of these scams. The third section will tell you what to do if you think you have been scammed.

What is a “Scam”?

A “scam” is when someone tricks you to get your money. Different scams will try to trick you in different ways, but the goal is always the same: they want your money. Most scammers use the telephone or the internet to get in touch with you. Often the scammer calls or writes from out of state or even outside the country. This means that if they manage to trick you, it is almost impossible to get your money back.

This section will tell you about some of the scams that affect Maine’s seniors. Keep in mind, there are many other scams that are not listed here.

Medicare scams

Maine seniors with Medicare are often a target for scam artists.

The scammer will call you and sound very official. They will say they are “from Medicare” or from the “health office.” Then they will offer to make some changes to your Medicare. Usually they will tell you that you can get more health insurance or prescription coverage for less money. But before those changes can happen, you will need to tell them your Medicare number and other personal information.

DON’T GET SCAMMED: NEVER give any personal information -- including your Medicare number -- in response to a phone call or email.

Grandparent scams

Scammers will pull at your heart strings to get to your purse strings. This is what happens with the “grandparent scam.”

This scam starts with a phone call from someone who says that they are your long lost grandchild. You won’t know this person, but they will be very convincing. Sometimes they will know private things about your life. They will say something like, “I have a problem and you are my last chance! I need money!” These scammers will tell you that you have to help them because they are your family, and that’s what family does. By the end of the phone call, you might be so convinced that you will want to help them.

DON’T GET SCAMMED: NEVER wire money or give your personal information based on a phone call or email.

Lottery/sweepstakes scams

Lots of people dream of winning the lottery. Scammers know this. They take advantage of that dream and make your life a nightmare.

This is what happens: someone calls you or you get a letter or email saying that you are a winner! You have been selected to win a huge amount of money!! Sounds good so far, right? “But,” they say, “there’s only one thing.” They will tell you that before they can give you your winnings, you have to send them money to pay “fees” or “taxes.” Or, you have to give them personal information, such as your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card numbers.

Sadly, many people fall for this. They send the money. Then the crook will say something like, “We made a mistake, you need to send MORE money.” Or, they say they never got the money and demand that you send it again. They will keep demanding more and more money until one day you realize your money is all gone.

These scammers know what they are doing. Once you fall for their trick, they will make your life miserable. Some will even threaten you with violence.

DON’T GET SCAMMED: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Never send money or provide any personal information in response to a phone call or email that says you won a contest. Remember, you can’t win a contest that you did not enter and legitimate sweepstakes never ask for money up front.

If you would like to check out an offer that sounds too good to be true, call the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation at 1-877-624-8551 [1].

Fake check scams

These kinds of scams start out in a number of different ways. The scam artist will contact you by phone, email, or mail. They will give you a long story about something that will hook you. The story changes but the catch is always the same: they need your help. They have a check that they need you to cash for them. They tell you to keep some of the money for yourself, and then wire the rest to them. The check will look real and might even fool your bank at first.

A little later, your bank will call to tell you that the check was no good. Your bank will tell you that you need to give them the money back. But you won’t be able to find the scammer, and you will be responsible for paying back your bank.

DON’T GET SCAMMED: There is never a legitimate reason for someone to give you a check or money order and ask you to wire them money in exchange. Do not ever send money or provide any personal information in response to a phone call or email.

Charity scams

Many seniors are very generous and regularly give donations to charity. Unfortunately, scammers will jump on the chance to exploit this generosity.

Charity scams are very common right after a disaster. In these scams, someone will call and ask you to give money to help the victims of the disaster. It sounds legitimate. But, the scammer will get pushy if you don’t give them money right away. And then once you give them a donation, they will continue to harass you until you donate more and more money.

DON’T GET SCAMMED: Before giving any money to charity do your homework. Real charities have to be licensed with the state. Check with the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation’s Charitable Solicitations Program at 207-624-8525 [2] to make sure that it’s a real charity.

I Don’t Want to Fall For a Scam. What Should I Do?

The best way to avoid falling for a scam is to be careful when it comes to your money and personal information. Follow the “Don’t Get Scammed” hints outlined in the “What is a “Scam”?" section [3]. Make sure your number is listed on the National Do No Call Registry. You can register your telephone number for free by calling 1-888-382-1222 [4].

Most importantly: do not give money or personal information to anyone in response to an email or telephone call. If a caller claims there is an emergency, insists on secrecy, or pressures you to send funds: HANG UP.

If you would like to check out an offer that sounds too good to be true, or if you want to know if a charity is legitimate, call the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation at 1-877-624-8525 [5].

I Think I Have Been Scammed. What Do I Do?

If you think that you have been scammed and you are a Maine resident who is 60 or older, you should call the Legal Services for the Elderly Helpline at 1-800-750-5353 [6] to speak to an attorney for free.

You can also contact the Maine Attorney General at 1-800-436-2131 [7] or the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation at 1-877-624-8551 [1].

Resources

Maine Attorney General’s Office
If you think you are the victim of a scam or identity theft, call the Maine Attorney General’s Office at: 1-800-436-2131 [7].
To learn more about how to avoid mail, internet, and telephone fraud, visit the website for the Maine Attorney General Consumer Law Guide by clicking here. [8]

Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation
If you want to check on a charity before you make a donation, call the Charitable Solicitations Program at 1-207-624-8525 [9].

Maine Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection
For more information on how to protect your money, check out the Downeaster Guide to Elder Financial Protection by clicking here [10].

Federal Trade Commission
If you want to report a scam or identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission website by clicking here [11], or call them at: 1-877-438-4338 [12]. The FTC has more information about certain types of scams. To learn more, click on any of the links below:

Putting Telephone Scams on Hold [13]
Protecting Against Credit Card Fraud [14]
Catch the Bandit in Your Mailbox [15]
Charitable Donation$: Give or Take [16]
Ditch the Pitch: Hanging Up on Telephone Hucksters [17]
Avoid Coronavirus Scams [18]

FTC “Pass It On” to prevent Consumer Scams

The Federal Trade Commission has recently released a series of tools designed as conversation starters on common consumer scams such as:

The Tools Can be found at: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0030-pass-it-on [25]

United States Postal Service
For information on how to avoid and report a foreign lottery scam, visit the Delivering Trust website from the United States Post Office by clicking here. [26]

Legal Services for the Elderly
If you are a Maine resident who is 60 or older and you think you have been scammed, call the Legal Services for the Elderly Helpline at: 1-800-750-5353 [6] to talk to an attorney for free.

Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau helps consumers find and recommend businesses, brands, and charities they can trust. Click here to check out what's been recommended in your area. [27]

National Consumers League: Fraud.org
For more information about things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones from scams, visit the website for the National Consumers League by clicking here. [28]

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has released two new resources to help older adults protect their identity. Click here to download or order a copy of the CFPB's Identity Theft Protection Guide. [29] If you would like an educational placement on identity theft for meal sites, senior centers, and other places older adults gather for meals, click here. [30]