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Working Together to Fight Scams Our Experts Share Latest Fraud-Fighting Tactics. We’re more likely to associate scams with criminality than psychology. Yet the most convincing cons often apply psychological influences which make us more likely to fall victim. We all like to think we can spot scams, but any one of us could be vulnerable to tactics that break down our defences, particularly when we’re under financial or emotional pressure. Anna was targeted by a loan scam when she was short of funds. In her case, scammers tried to take advantage of financial anxiety at a time when her defences were low, and her judgement potentially impaired as a result. PLACE YOUR FIRST SCAM REPORT How to Fight Fraud the Easy & Cheap Way Consumers worldwide spent almost $7 billion last year on identity theft protection services, and that figure is expected to reach $24 billion by 2025. That’s a lot of fearful folks paying up to $360 a year to protect their personal data and privacy — some prompted by well-crafted, nerve-racking TV commercials, others by harsh realities: Following last year’s Equifax breach, one study found that nearly 20 percent of Americans froze their credit files, at a cost of $1.4 billion. Until then, only 2 to 3 percent had credit freezes. Why pay? Here you have free, easy and effective scam reporting and fighting service that will do the job for you easy and totally free. REPORT A FRAUD OR A SCAM, IT’S FREE

Sometimes, it’s too good to be true

Whenever a scam story is exposed, most people will call the victims greedy, but the truth is, that’s not the only reason for them to fall into a scam. Most of the time, they are conned because they end up trusting the scammer too much. “The fact is, greed is rarely the only factor. Victims of scams are so for a variety of reasons and mostly it’s because they are too trusting. Often, it’s because they trusted someone close, a friend or a relative who they were sure wouldn’t lie to them. And the fact is it’s hard to tell a scam from a real investment opportunity. It’s not just old uncles and aunties who can’t tell but celebrities, MPs, ministers and journalists are often fooled too because they don’t do the necessary background checks or are just not savvy enough. Don’t be impressed by anyone who takes pictures with and receive ‘awards’ from Ministers, MP, celebrities or anyone famous. IT MEANS NOTHING. The more they show u this, the more you should be careful of them. What are they trying to prove by selling you credibility through this GIMMICK?!! Don’t be impressed too by anyone giving a big cheque to charity and appearing on media to BOAST. Many people give bigger cheques behind the scenes and don’t even talk about it. PLACE A SCAM REPORT

Have you been scammed, report the bastard(s).

REPORT A SCAM OR A FRAUD

SCAM FIGHTING TACTICS

Working Together to Fight Scams Q: Can you tell us about some of the latest approaches to combat schemes against older Americans? A: I’m seeing much more interest in creating a multidisciplinary climate for helping older adults. The notion used to be that law enforcement could solve the problem, but that’s just never going to happen because things come too fast and furiously. Scammers come from different parts of the world and with tremendous sophistication. Q: How do the different parties work together in a multidisciplinary way? A: Law enforcement continues to act as the cop on the beat in every possible way, from the local police to the FBI. But law enforcement is just one piece. The financial services industry has a big role, as well. Their work is often to stop the assets from leaving the institution, whether it’s a securities firm, an investment advisory firm or a bank. Q: What’s law enforcement doing on this front? A: The International Association of Chiefs of Police just came out with some videos on elder abuse. That provides a new tool for police. Together, we are able to do it.

Stopping Fake Charities Q: You have been going after charity scammers for the FTC since 1994. What has changed in that time? A: The phony sweepstakes that I investigated 20 years ago that were done by telemarketing might now be done online or via email. The investment scams from the ’80s were investing in precious metals or gems. These days they are investing in Bitcoin. Q: What are the newest techniques that shady charities and fundraisers use to target older Americans? A: Recently, we have seen a rise of telemarketing calls on behalf of political action committees that use soundboard technology . The calls sound just like the charitable-donation calls that you may have gotten before. Q: Is the FTC using any modern or high-tech methods to investigate fraud? A: Yes. Tax-exempt organizations have to file 990s . Much of the information that states collect is available online. That has absolutely made our job easier. With a little bit of poking around, we can pull relevant information to help us assess what’s going on.

Preventing Medicare Fraud Q: What are the most recent schemes in health care fraud? A: We all talk about health care fraud in dollars, but it has a personal effect, as well. For example, if a scammer were to use a beneficiary’s information to bill for an electric wheelchair today and if that beneficiary, God forbid, were to suffer a stroke next week and require the use of an electric wheelchair, Medicare wouldn’t pay because, according to its system, that patient already has that equipment. Q: What steps are you able to take to combat that type of fraud? A: We try to do prevention first. We always try to reinforce the idea that nothing is ever free. One of the places where scammers pick up information is health fairs. They urge folks, “Hey, come on over; get your free blood-pressure check.” And then they’re asked for a Medicare number. The minute you’re asked for your Medicare number, that should be a red flag to realize somebody’s going to bill something somewhere. Q: How are you finding better ways to use data? A: We use data to identify hot spots, where we see irregular billing. We’ve seen a decline in Medicare billings in hot spots where we’ve focused resources based on our data analysis.

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How to Recognize a Robocall

Health Insurance Scam What they’ll say: “Open enrollment has passed, but luckily that doesn’t mean you’ll be without coverage this year. New laws in place still allow you to get an affordable health insurance plan from an A-rated insurer at a price that you and your family can afford. Press 1 now to speak to an agent.” The goal: Often this is a lead-generation operation (to get private information they can sell to others or use later). Some of these calls will legitimately connect you to a local insurance agent; others are pure scams. Use good sense: Do not respond to inquiries like this over the phone. Instead, if you’re looking for lower-cost health insurance, your best option is to contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program in your state. (Find it at shiptacenter.org.) The counseling is free. If you are under age 65 and not yet eligible for Medicare, go to healthcare.gov for options on the individual market. Jury Duty Scam What they’ll say: “Hello, this is Officer Garrison from the police department. It is my duty to inform you that a warrant has been issued for your arrest as a result of your failure to show up for jury duty. Please call us immediately to avoid incarceration.” The goal: To persuade you to pay a large “fine” to the crooks posing as police. Use good sense: The legal system doesn’t work this way. You would get a notice of jury duty in the mail. Police and court officials don’t solicit payments by phone. If you are concerned, contact your county clerk’s office about jury duty. Social Security Scam What they’ll say: “The purpose of this call is regarding an enforcement action executed by the U.S. Treasury against your Social Security number. Ignoring this would be an intentional attempt to avoid initial appearances before the magistrate judge for a federal criminal offense. So before this matter goes to the federal claims courthouse or you get arrested, kindly call us back.” The goal: To convince you that someone is using your Social Security card to commit crimes and that, to clear your name, you need to share private information. Use good sense: The Social Security Administration won’t ask for such information over the phone. If you’re in doubt, look up the number for your SSA office and call it. Do not call the number in the phone message. Pain Center Scam What they’ll say: “This is an important message from the pain center. You’re receiving this call because someone at this number recently requested information about a pain-relieving brace for their back or knee. You may qualify for a knee or a back brace at little to no cost to you. To speak with a product specialist, press 1 now.” The goal: This is often a Medicare fraud. More often than not, you will receive a low-quality brace — and the scammer will bill the government a huge amount for it. Use good sense: Quality medical products generally are not sold over the phone. Don’t give your personal information to someone you don’t trust. Doug Shadel is the state director for AARP Washington and the author of Outsmarting the Scam Artists. AARP’s Fraud Watch Network can help you spot and avoid scams. Sign up for free “watchdog alerts," review our scam-tracking map, or call our toll-free fraud helpline at 877-908-3360 if you or a loved one suspect you’ve been a victim. Read the full article

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