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A Senior’s Guide to Fraud Prevention

Strategies for seniors to make sound and safe decisions regarding various scams and frauds. Alberta Council on Aging Box 9, 11808 St. Albert Trail, Suite 232 Edmonton, AB T5L 4G4 Tel: (780) 423-7781, Fax: (780) 425-9246 Email: info@acaging.ca Website: www.acaging.ca Funding for this publication was generously provided by New Horizons for Seniors Program The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the funders. Editorial Services Sgt. Brian Trainor (ret.) Alberta Council on Aging’s Mission is to empower and educate Seniors and government to support the quality of life for Seniors and encourage their full participation in all aspects of society.

A Senior’s Guide to Fraud Prevention © 2010

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION...............................page 3

2. POWER OF ATTORNEY ABUSE.....page 7

3. TELEMARKETING SCAMS.............page 14

4. IDENTITY THEFT............................ page 20

5. INTERNET SCAMS......................... page 27

6. CONCLUSION................................ page 36

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1) INTRODUCTION

All too often seniors suffer financial abuse in

silence. They do not file complaints with the

police because they are:

• Embarrassed at not being able to handle the situation themselves

• Ashamed at having been taken • The thief is a family member • Afraid of being alone • Don’t want to be seen as

incompetent • Afraid of nursing homes

Fraud is a confusing crime and one most have

a hard time understanding. Though it is not my

intention to explain the legal workings of fraud, I

do want you to have a basic idea of what a

fraud is.

SCAMS

A fraud is a theft. It is as simple as that. A more

common word for fraud is scam. We all know

what a scam is. Someone promises you

something in exchange for your money then

gives you nothing. A scam is a false promise.

There are as many scams out there as there

are snowflakes in a blizzard. They all have their

own twist on how to separate you from your

money, but in the end they all have one thing

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common, they are illegal. Some play on your

emotions, while others on your greed. There

are those that use sympathy and pain, and

others that employ religion.

Misconceptions about seniors…

1) Seniors aren’t savvy about telemarketing frauds

2) They aren’t ‘with it’ concerning the latest trends in society

3) They aren’t as social as they used to be

4) They are isolated without a wide circle of friends

5) They suffer from mental deterioration

Age has nothing to do with whether or not you

become a victim of crime. Some people

naturally seek second opinions, while others

have the strength to hang up the phone. Some

are gamblers while others are more open to

suggestions. Age has nothing to do with it.

That’s who you are.

ALL OF THE ABOVE ARE FALSE

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THE TOP FOUR SCAMS

The top four scams I’ve investigated targeting

seniors are:

1) Telemarketing Fraud 2) Identity Theft 3) Internet Scams 4) Power of Attorney Fraud

There are many more such as religious scams,

and insurance frauds. The list goes on and on. I

saw those listed above targeting seniors over

and over again.

CHAPTER BY CHAPTER

The following chapters will deal with each of the

four scams listed above.

At the end of each chapter will be an easy

reference guide called “QUICK SAFETY TIPS”

QUICK SAFETY TIPS

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These “QUICK SAFETY TIPS” will provide you

with the information you need to keep you and

your money safe.

Look for the policeman holding the sign

“READ”. He is pointing to very important

pieces of information you need to pay particular

attention to.

ALBERTA COUNCIL ON AGING

Alberta Council on Aging (ACA) is a voluntary organization comprised of groups, individuals and agencies in Alberta. It seeks to increase the understanding of the impact of aging on both individuals and society. ACA works for changes, both social and individual, to enhance the participation of seniors as active members of society.

ACA's membership comprises over 3000 members and 200 senior's groups and agencies. ACA is Alberta's only provincial non-profit, charitable, non-government umbrella organization representing seniors. Funding is obtained through memberships, donations, and grants.

Founded in 1967, ACA represents and supports seniors in both rural and urban areas through its province-wide network and Committees.

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2) POWER OF ATTORNEY ABUSE

Little known and misunderstood, power of attorney fraud is fast becoming a huge problem in Canada; one that needs to be addressed quickly.

No one wants to air their dirty laundry in public. When a sibling steals money from mom, we take care of it within the family. But what happens when the only one who knows about the thieving is mom? Who does she turn to?

A power of attorney spending the senior’s money without permission on themselves is a thief plain and simple.

As POA (Power of Attorney) they are to act as though they are the senior in matters concerning finances. They are supposed to take care of the senior as though they were them, i.e.: pay their bills, buy them groceries, and do their investments. What they can’t do is steal the money for their own use. That is theft and needs to be reported to the police.

Emma struggled with her finances. When she

wanted something, she got it now. Can’t pay for

it? Charge it.

MOM WOULD LEND ME $500,000.00

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It was a pleasant surprise when Aunt Tillie

asked Emma to be her Enduring Power of

Attorney. Emma was familiar with the POA

designation. Her sister performed the same

duties for their parents.

Before long, dementia stole Tillie’s ability to

perform simple tasks such as banking, and had

confined her to a 24 hour care facility. As

Emma looked over her aunt’s finances she

smiled. Her future became bright.

Emma cashed in a $100,000.00 GIC Aunt Tillie

owned. The money was deposited into Emma’s

personal bank account after providing the bank

with a copy of the POA. The fact they both

banked at the same institution made money

transfers a simple task.

Within the year the money was gone spent on

clothing, gas, vehicles, and trips. Emma began

writing cheques to herself for $5000.00 from

her aunt’s account and depositing them into her

own account.

She applied to borrow $100,000.00 against

Tillie’s investments she couldn’t get her hands

on. It was during a check of her application that

the manager found the trail of crumbs, a trail

leading him directly to the police.

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It was a simple matter of matching withdrawals

and deposits between Emma and Tillie’s

accounts. An attempt at interviewing Aunt Tillie

proved beyond her capacity. The staff told the

detective Tillie never left the facility. This was

an obvious case of financial abuse of a senior

by the power of attorney.

The main problem in Power of Attorney abuse

cases is that the attorney operates in complete

anonymity. There is no one watching the

senior’s money.

Certain statistics must be documented such as:

who is the grantor (senior)

who is the attorney (power of attorney

designate)

who is a second alternate attorney

(always name two)

what type of POA (Standard, Springing,

Enduring)

the date granted

Every POA document should be

prepared by a lawyer

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banking information for both the senior

and the POA

accountability clauses with due dates for

financial records filing

This last point is the most important piece of

the puzzle. Because most power of attorneys

have complete access to a senior’s bank

account, they can whatever they want with the

money. No one is going to know where it went.

Add an accountability clause to your POA

agreement

This clause directs your power of attorney to

provide your monthly bank records for the past

three months to a person you name in the

clause (sister, brother, uncle etc). If they do not,

they are immediately removed as your POA

and the alternate takes their place.

This accountability clause would accomplish

several things:

keeps most attorneys honest

allows family early recognition intervention

removes a power of attorney who is a thief

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Financial abuse is criminal, not civil. Horror

stories abound of seniors going to the police to

report a POA who has stolen money only to be

told the matter is civil and that the police cannot

help them.

Section 331 of the Criminal Code of Canada is

titled Theft by Person Holding Power of

Attorney. Should you ever find yourself being

told the matter is civil, point out this section

then ask them how it is civil.

The POA can be reimbursed for out of pocket

expenses such as parking or gas however such

expenses must match receipts and be

reasonable. Taking a hundred thousand dollars

from dad’s bank account is not reasonable.

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Never have joint bank accounts with your POA unless it’s your spouse or life partner.

Most banks recognize a “right to survivorship”

with joint accounts. When you pass away, all

the money in your joint bank account becomes

the property of the person named as joint

account holder. Though this is being

challenged in court as we speak, the legalities

can be a long and expensive journey so why

take the chance.

Pay as many of your bills using automatic payment withdrawals from your account.

The less money that changes hands, the less

chance for financial abuse.

Indicate to your bank or investor which investments are not to be touched by your POA and have those written into your POA agreement.

QUICK SAFETY TIPS

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Some investments roll over time after time

producing the best rate of return. These types

of investments are best left alone to

accumulate compound interest over a long

time. You may not want to have these

investments cashed in but prefer to have them

available to your next of kin via your Will.

Demand dual signatures on all cheques written by your POA. A second signer can be designated by yourself in your POA agreement.

This simple act can have a profound effect on

whether your POA stays on the straight and

narrow or decides to deviate from it.

Accountability promotes honesty.

Insert accountability clause into your Power of Attorney agreement

Most POA thefts occur because the POA

doesn’t have to show anyone where your

money was spent. Insist on your lawyer adding

an accountability clause to your agreement

stating your POA must show (name the person)

your bank statements every three months. If

they don’t, they are immediately removed as

your POA and the alternate you named is your

new POA.

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3) TELEMARKETING SCAMS

Phonebusters is an anti-fraud organization run

by the RCMP and the Ontario Provincial Police.

Last year they received 12,000 complaints of

fraud relating to Prize/Loan/Vacation scams

amounting to 16 million dollars in losses. The

targets for these crooks are seniors.

You’re on the couch watching TV when the

phone rings. A glance at the call display on

your phone shows a number you are not

familiar with. You pick up the receiver.

A man says, “This is your captain speaking.”

“Hello?” you say, but no one answers. It’s a

recording.

You’re about to hang up when. . .

“Congratulations. You’ve won a trip to Tampa,

Florida worth $4500.00. Call 1-800-YOU-BOZO

to claim your vacation.”

He hangs up.

WOO-HOO. I’VE WON A TRIP!

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You pause holding the phone next to your ear.

Grabbing a pen, you jot the number down.

“This can’t be right,” you mutter.

The toll free number stares at you screaming,

“Call me.”

“I didn’t enter any such contest. Or did I?”

You remember your trip to the mall last week.

There were tables manned by young people

selling tickets on everything from cars to cell

phones. “Did I enter my name in a draw for a

free trip?”

Florida would be so nice at this time of year.

You glance at the three feet of snow on your

lawn knowing the temperature could freeze skin

in seconds.

Throwing caution to the wind, you pick up the

phone and dial the number. “Maybe I did win. It

won’t cost anything to find out.”

A bubbly young girl answers. “Scam Travel, this

is Becky.”

You tell her about your phone call.

“Congratulations,” she says, so friendly she

makes you want to talk to her. Yes you have

won a free trip to Florida however, in order to

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receive the plane ticket you have to give your

credit card number.

“Taxes, transfer fees, and gratuities. You

understand.”

STOP RIGHT THERE! HANG UP THE

PHONE!

Whew! I’m glad I got here before you got

yourself into a whole mess of trouble.

There’s more to this “free trip” than meets the

eye. They aren’t telling you everything. That’s

where I come in.

“NEVER MENTIONED” ITEMS

Your credit card will be charged at least $300

dollars for these “tips, transfers, and gratuities.”

Fair enough you say. I am getting a free trip out

of it . . . or are you?

You will get a ticket to fly to Florida – BUT –

that ticket is called a “companion” ticket. You’re

not flying anywhere unless you fly with a

companion paying full fare.

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“My wife and I will split a full fare ticket. It’s still

a great deal.”

You arrive in Florida and Scam Travel drives

you to a wonderful hotel. Once settled, the

travel agent calls you.

“Tomorrow morning we have a three hour time

share presentation you have to listen to,” she

says.

You scowl. “We’re not interested in a time

share. We’re here because we won a free

vacation.” The pit of your stomach tells you

you’ve been had.

The travel agent pauses. “No problem. You

don’t have to go to our presentation. Check out

time is eleven tomorrow.”

There’s a moment of silence. “Oh, and that

airline ticket you got in the mail? It’s a one

way ticket. You’ll have to find your own way

home.”

You decide to attend their time share

presentation.

The next morning you find yourself in a room

with dozens of other couples, most looking

about as happy as you are. You sigh and shake

your head.

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The pressure is intense to buy a time share.

They bombard you with information.

“You can have two weeks a year in paradise for

the rest of your life for only $25,000.00.”

They use guilt, compassion, and fear to try and

get you to cut them a cheque but you don’t.

You bolt from the room. You’ve escaped. That

evening you board a ship. It’s a gambling cruise

that goes out into the Gulf for a few hours and

then comes back. They are going to get as

much money out of you as they can before you

go home.

I’ve seen the ship ladies and gentlemen and it’s

as old as the hills. It’s made of wood and has

pairs of animals on it. Don’t phone that 800

number, and don’t give your credit card number

out over the phone.

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HANG UP THE PHONE!

If you didn’t enter the contest, you didn’t win the prize

Never give your personal information over the phone.

Never give anyone your credit card number over the phone

There are only four toll free numbers in Canada – 800 – 866 – 877 – 888 and 310-0000 in Alberta.

Check with Service Alberta toll free at 310-0000

If it’s too good to be true, it probably is

“This is only available now” is a scam. Hang up!

Nothing is free.

“Don’t tell anyone about this” is a scam. Hang up!

Order “Call Display” from your phone company.

Screen your calls before you answer them

QUICK SAFETY TIPS

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4) IDENTITY THEFT

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in

North America. Last year Phonebusters

received over 12,000 complaints worth 10

million dollars.

Identity theft is a very unique crime. Most

victims have no contact with the suspect. They

don’t even know their identity has been stolen.

Consider how much information is out there

about you:

Employers

Doctors

Banks

Universities

Government

Car Dealers

Credit Card Companies

Insurance Companies

Magazines

A QUINSY

When my daughter was fourteen she had a

very sore throat. Prone to strep infections, I

took her to the medical clinic to see the doctor.

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One look at her throat had my doctor ordering

me to take her directly to the hospital. “She has

quinsy,” he said. “Get to Emergency now.”

Off we flew running red lights, and acting

deranged. “Get out of my way you idiot. Can’t

you see? She has a quinsy,” I screamed out my

window. Even policemen can become unglued

at times.

To make a long story short, out came her

tonsils and everything returned to normal after

a few days.

As we’re leaving the hospital my daughter pulls

off her hospital bracelet and hands it to me

declaring, “I’m free.”

I would normally have tossed it in the garbage

however something made me look at the

bracelet. Not only was her name and birth date

on the hospital bracelet, but so was her

provincial health number.

While I was a fraud detective I investigated a

case of identity theft based on such a bracelet.

Just remember my words…

YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION IS

EVERYWHERE!

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PSSSST! WANNA BUY SOME RITALIN?

It was two in the afternoon as he sucked on his

smoke long and hard trying to stop the shaking

of his hands. His withdrawal from crystal meth

was starting to hurt.

Pushing off of the hospital wall, he tossed his

cigarette on the ground and walked through the

front doors. Visiting hours were about to begin.

He meandered in and out of the rooms

checking the garbage bins. It didn’t take long

before he accomplished his goal.

Down the hall a young patient was being

released. With family carrying the teen’s

possessions, they left the room he had called

home for the past few days.

He strolled into the now vacant room with high

hopes. There in the garbage can was the teen

boy’s hospital bracelet discarded only moments

before. Stuffing it in his pocket, he strode out of

the hospital. Mission accomplished.

Once home, the drug addict memorized the

information on the bracelet including the

patient’s name, birth date, and health number,

then he waited.

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At five to ten that evening he entered a medical

clinic moaning of an earache. Though the clinic

closed at ten the receptionist assured him he

would see the emergency doctor.

“May I see your health card?” she asked.

“I don’t have it with me,” he wailed. “I know my

number though,” and rattled off the number

from the hospital bracelet. Fifteen minutes later

he left with a prescription for ear drops.

Once at home, he tossed the prescription on

the table, placed a piece of paper over it, and

traced the doctor’s signature. Putting this aside

he used white-out to remove all the writing on

the prescription sheet. A photocopy machine at

the drug store and a pair of scissors gave him a

set of 10 blank prescription forms.

After writing in the hospital patient’s name on

the top, and tracing the doctor’s signature along

the bottom of all ten forms, he wrote, “Ritalin X

50 tablets.” Times the ten scripts, he now had

500 Ritalin tablets.

Ritalin sells for $25 per tab on the street giving

him enough money to keep him in crystal meth

for a week.

A few days later the health department phoned

the patient and asks what he’s doing with 500

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Ritalin tablets. The teen had no idea what they

were talking about. “I just got out of the

hospital,” he said.

Welcome to the world of identity theft.

Considered how much of your personal

information is out there. Perhaps you should

begin to ask questions.

Why do they need my personal information?

What are they going to do with it once they have it?

How do they store my personal information?

Is their storage facility/computer system secure?

Do they sell their customer lists?

How can my personal information be used by a crook?

QUICK SAFETY TIPS

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Consider your Social Insurance Number. Your

SIN is a very important document because it is

issued only once by the government to you.

With your SIN, criminals can obtain a driver’s

license in your name, a bank account, credit

cards, birth certificates, and even passports.

I’ve only touched on Social Insurance

Numbers. Imagine the damage that could be

done once they obtain your debit card and PIN

number, or skim your credit card.

Most people think that since their personal

information is safe in their wallets or purses,

they can’t possibly be at risk for identity theft.

You rarely use your cards, and never provide

personal information on the Internet, or over the

phone.

How does identity theft occur?

1) The theft of purses and wallets. Take only those cards which you use.

2) Dumpster diving for copies of credit card receipts. Always check to see that your credit card number has a row of “x” through it on the receipt.

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3) Home garbage cans rummaged through for pre-approved credit card applications, and personal information.

4) Shoulder surfing for PIN numbers at

ATM terminals. Shield your PIN.

5) Skimming at restaurants is one method of stealing your personal information. Never let your credit card out of your sight.

6) Phishing for personal identification via

emails. Never give personal information over the Internet.

7) Theft from company or government

databases by hacking. What security does the office have in place?

If you are the victim of an identity theft,

notify:

Police

Equifax or Trans Union (credit rating services)

Businesses where the frauds occurred

Your bank

The credit cards that have been compromised

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5) INTERNET SCAMS

Seniors are the fastest growing segment of

society jumping on the internet. The “net” is

exciting, interesting and can open a vast array

of new interests. The problem we have is that

our generation never grew up with computers.

It’s this lack of familiarity that will cause us

problems.

Yet there is hope. You don’t need to be a

computer nerd to safely surf the net. What you

need are a few tips to keep you safe.

John had a sailboat. The “Moon River” was a

huge, ocean cruising vessel, and though it had

never seen salt water, had enjoyed many a

summer cutting across the crystal blue waters

of the north.

With the kids grown and health becoming more

of an issue he decided to sell his beloved boat.

Convention dictated he place a classified ad in

the local newspaper, however John was

anything but conventional.

Feeling competent on the computer, he

decided to sell his skiff on an online classified

BOAT FOR SALE...

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website. Placing the ad was easy, and best of

all, free. In mere moments the “Moon River” set

sail across cyber space.

The work day had been particularly taxing

having to deal with one unsatisfied customer

after another. Wending his way home through a

cacophony of traffic made the day seem all the

more stressful.

Doffing his coat, and slipping into his sweats,

John grabbed a snack and flopped down in

front of his computer. A few quick button

pushes and the Internet was at his disposal.

As was his custom, he checked his email first

off.

“Fifteen emails,” he mumbled.

His mouse had a workout as John clicked the

“delete” icon fourteen times stopping on the last

one.

Someone wanted to buy his sailboat.

“I write about your boat. Father had boat like it

when I was small. Had to sell to make money

for food. Would like to please father with boat. It

would make me happy to buy your boat. Please

reply at once.”

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The poor English caused John to smile but he

knew that his ad was being read by people

around the world so this wasn’t abnormal. He

typed a quick response telling the buyer he

wanted $18,000.00 for the boat and went on to

describe it in greater detail than what was

posted in his ad.

Within the hour he had a response asking for

his mailing address. The deal was closed with

the buyer wanting to send John a cheque for

the full amount to ensure he “won” the boat.

John was pleased.

A week later an envelope arrived containing the

cheque made out from a university down east.

As he had been assured, the cheque was

made out to himself in the full amount of

$38,000.00.

“Thirty-eight thousand,” John said in dismay.

“That’s too much.”

He immediately got on his computer and sent

the buyer an email.

“You sent too much money.”

The reply took moments to return.

“Secretarial error. Wrong cheque in wrong

envelope. Deposit cheque as it is good and

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wire back the difference. Please email money

order transit number. Sorry. Will arrange boat

pick up through shipper.”

John shrugged. It sounded reasonable and

peering at the cheque against a lamp proved it

to be a genuine. His name and the amount had

been stamped in using a cheque writer. There

were the usual security features imbedded in

the cheque itself such as fibres and ghost

images.

Satisfied, he took the cheque to his bank and

made the deposit. He then wrote a cheque from

the account for the $20,000.00 difference and

happily drove over to the money transfer

business.

The money wire went off without a hitch and

securing his receipt along with the transit

number in his pocket, John returned home to

email the number to his buyer.

Days turned into weeks and still no response

from the buyer. John began to get worried. His

emails were not returned, and though he still

had his sailboat, his stomach was beginning to

turn somersaults at the vague thought he may

have been scammed.

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After a month, John reported the matter to the

police, and after a few quick phone calls he had

his confirmation, he was the victim of fraud.

The cheque he had received was indeed a real

cheque however a phone call to the university

revealed that it was on an old account, an

account the school had closed two years prior.

The university had thrown all the remaining

cheques in the garbage…all 1300 of them!

In chasing down the money order to Miami,

Florida, the detective discovered the money

wire was picked up in Paris, France and not in

Miami as John had thought it would.

Phoning the money wire store branch in Paris

revealed that the suspect had used phony

identification to obtain the money wire. Oh, and

oui, he did have the transit number that John

had sent him via email.

Of course, the cheque from the university

bounced. John’s name and the amount had

been added to a blank cheque stolen from the

school’s dumpster. John now owed his bank

$20,000.00 which he is now paying off in the

form of a loan.

“Moon River” sits in its berth bobbing gently in

the summer sun, alone as John cannot afford

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to take the time off to slip up to the lake any

more. He has debts to pay.

SECURE SITE

When making a purchase over the internet

ensure you are buying from a “secure site”.

This means that the information you send them

and the reply they send back is scrambled or in

computer terms, encrypted. A secure website

will have the encryption program in place.

Look for two features to be present on their

payment page:

1. In the lower right-hand corner look for a closed padlock. This is an indication that the site is secure.

2. At the top where the address of the website is located, (as an example: http://www.fraudsquad.ca) the address

QUICK SAFETY TIPS

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should have an “s” inserted into the address (https://www.) This “s” and the closed padlock must be on the page in order for the site to be considered secure.

If one of these two features is not present, the site is not secure and you should not do business with this website over the internet.

Always use a middleman like PayPal to handle

your purchase. It’s safer and you greatly reduce

your risk of fraud.

Here’s how it works:

You decide to buy a shirt over eBay from a

seller who has posted it on eBay. When you

click on the “purchase” button you will be given

several options for payment. You can either

send the seller your credit card number, send

him/her a money order for the amount

requested, or you can go through PayPal.

Always choose PayPal.

When you choose PayPal you will be asked to

register with PayPal at their website. By

registering you provide PayPal with your

personal information, credit card number and

USE A MIDDLEMAN SUCH AS PAYPAL

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contact information. Yes, there is a trust issue

here.

In choosing to pay through PayPal, the seller

never sees any of your personal information

including your credit card number. You inform

PayPal that you are buying the shirt. PayPal

informs the buyer and then charges your credit

card the amount of the shirt. It then tells the

seller your purchase went through and to mail

the shirt off.

No one sees your personal information and it is

stored securely in the encrypted computer

banks of PayPal.

DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

There’s a famous saying, “Don’t judge a book

by its cover.” This is so true when looking at

websites on the net. Just because a site looks

like the real deal doesn’t mean it is. Be careful

and do your homework.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Check out the name of the company you’re

doing business with. Type the name into

Google and see what comes back. Google

should be your number one investigation

website.

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PERSONAL INFORMATION

As a rule of thumb, do not give out personal

information over the internet. The crooks will

send email messages posing as your bank, or

medical office, or the government asking for

you to fill in a form which has spaces for your

personal information. Don’t get fooled. None of

these businesses will ask you to do this over

the net.

EMAIL SCAMS

Most internet scams start with an email. Watch

for emails where the sender is trying to hide

who they are by using numbers instead of their

name. Most scammers use an anonymous

email with endings that are not communication

companies such as “shaw.ca”. Google the

address.

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Be very careful about what you put down for

personal information on “Facebook” and

“MySpace”. The crooks cruise these sites.

Always ask yourself, “Do I want a stranger

knowing this about me or my family?”

6) CONCLUSION

This booklet is only the beginning. There are

steps you can take to protect yourself.

Become familiar with the numerous scams operating in the world today. Get on the computer and search the word “scams”. You will be surprised at what information is available to you.

Become proactive in protecting yourself from financial abuse. Buy a shredder and shred everything that contains your name. Nothing goes in the garbage anymore that has your information on it.

Stay informed by reading newspapers.

Maintain contact with your social groups or join new ones. Talking to others is the best way of finding out what is happening in the community and around the world. Information is empowering. It gives you the means to protect yourself.

FACEBOOK – MYSPACE – ETC

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Do not “keep it to yourself”. If you’ve been scammed, tell someone about it. Call the police or talk to your family. Help is a phone call away. The worst thing you can do is to hide in shame at being taken by a crook. We learn through others.

Warn your friends. Warn your family and then report the matter to the authorities so they can take steps to shut these criminals down.

Subscribe to “Call Display”. Call your phone company and have them activate “Call Display” for you. It isn’t expensive and is a very good way to screen your phone calls.

Learn to hang up the phone. You don’t need to say anything. Simply hang up. It’s legal! The phone police won’t come and arrest you. Really!

Stop being so nice to strangers over the phone. You don’t know them nor do you owe them anything. Be polite but firm. See above . . . hang up the phone!

You have not won the Australian, Irish, Spanish, or Martian lottery unless you bought a ticket. Do not send them any money. Not even $19.95. It’s a scam and your name will go on a “suckers list”.

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In a month your mailbox will be swimming with this garbage and your mailman will hate you. Shred it all, every last drop. Never reply.

Make charitable donations at their office, never over the phone. I don’t care if it’s the police or the fire department calling for a donation, don’t do it over the phone. The police do not have the time to call you for donations. They hire telemarketers to do the phoning. Are you willing to give some stranger your credit card number over the phone? No, and no. Repeat after me . . . no and no!

USE COMMON SENSE AND STAY SAFE!

Funding for this publication generously provided by Human Resource and Social Development Canada’s

New Horizons for Seniors program