Financial Fraud Aimed at Seniors – Feingold Home Health Care
Health is defined as “the general condition of the body or mind with reference to soundness or vigor.” But there is also financial health, and in some ways it’s as important as physical and emotional health. Without money we can’t pay for the professional help to correct ailments and stay healthy with regular examinations. Unfortunately there are unscrupulous people in the world who choose to steal from others and ruin the financial health of innocent victims, often senior citizens.
There are phone scams, computer scams, and some scammers who come right to your house and knock on the front door.
We can’t possibly cover every type of scam that exists, but in general you want to advise people who may be susceptible to being taken advantage of that they should always be suspicious of unfamiliar people who make contact via any channel.
One popular in-person scam is where someone knocks at the front door and pretends to have legitimate business to discuss while someone else enters the house through a rear door and attempts to steal money or valuables.
Telephone scams often involve:
Threatening calls from the IRS.
Technical support calls.
Fake charity appeals.
Lottery scams.
Family members in peril.
Online scams usually involve trying to get a person to enter their password. Everyone should understand that should never enter a password anywhere unless they are 100% sure it is a real website operated by someone they do business with. If there is any doubt, stop and ask for help. Scammers often create pages that appear to be from a bank or other legitimate business, but are fake.
The National Council on Aging has a very useful guide – click here – that offers great tips about how to avoid scams.
Feingold Home Health Care Services is not in business to catch scammers but we have seen many people fall victim to fraud over the years and if you have concerns about a loved one feel free to call us and we can offer advice. Call the police if you believe someone you care about is being victimized by a fraudulent person or scheme, or call us at 561-210-9096 if you have general questions about home health care.
Also, you can report fraud involving a senior in Florida directly to the Attorney General by clicking here.