8/4/2019 Elder Fraud Summary Brochure

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/elder-fraud-summary-brochure 1/2

For more inormation, to report a scam, or toschedule a speaker on consumer protection issues,contact Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’sofce at www. OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or800-282-0515.

For TTY, please call Relay Ohio at800-750-0750.

 

Better Business Bureau

Research a business or nd

local contact information:

www.bbb.org

Do Not Call Registry

888-382-1222

www.donotcall.gov

Free Annual Credit Report

877-322-8228

www.annualcreditreport.com

(Watch for other credit report

offers that charge you)

Ohio Department of Aging 

Long-term Care Ombudsman:

800-282-1206

www.aging.ohio.gov

Ohio Department of Commerce

Investor Protection Hotline:

877-N VEST 411

(877-683-7841)

www.com.ohio.gov

Ohio Department of Insurance

Medicare OSHIIP Hotline:

800-686-1578

Consumer Hotline:

800-686-1526

www.insurance.ohio.gov

Ohio Department of Veterans

Services:

877-OHIO-VET (877-644-6838)

www.dvs.ohio.gov

Save the Dream Ohio

Foreclosure Prevention Help: 

888-404-4674

www.savethedream.ohio.gov

8/4/2019 Elder Fraud Summary Brochure

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/elder-fraud-summary-brochure 2/2

Fake check scams

Someone sends you a check and asks you to deposit it and return some

of the money via wire transfer. Regardless of the pitch, the result is the

same: The check is counterfeit. It will be returned to your bank unpaid,and the full amount will be deducted from your account. Never wire

transfer money to a stranger.

Grandparent scams

 Watch for con artists posing as grandchildren. They may call and say,

“Hi Grandma” or “Hi Grandpa,” and report that they are stuck in

another country and need you to send money via wire transfer. Of 

course, any money you send will go to the scammer, not to your real

grandchild. When in doubt, hang up and call a trusted family member.

Identity theft This occurs when someone fraudulently uses your personal informa-

tion, such as your bank account number or Social Security number, to

obtain credit, take out a loan, receive medical treatment, get identica -

tion, or otherwise pretend to be you.

Investment fraud

 A scammer might offer you a “risk-free” investment only to steal your

money. All investments involve risk, so consult with trusted family 

members and friends before you invest.

Living trust scamsBeware of people who make exaggerated or false claims about probate

costs or the tax advantages of living trusts. These scams usually target

lower income consumers. Contact an attorney for advice.

Phishing

Some scammers pretend to represent your bank or a government

agency and ask for your bank account number, password, or Social

Security number. Your bank will never request your personal informa-

tion unexpectedly. Do not respond to such requests.

Phony charities

 You may receive letters or calls from someone who is only pretending to

represent a charity. Before you donate, ask how much of your donation

 will actually go to the charity, and verify that the charity is legitimate by 

calling the Attorney General’s Help Center at 800-282-0515.

Prizes/sweepstakes scams

Someone claims that you have won a lottery or other prize, but you’re

asked to pay a fee, often via wire transfer, to collect your winnings.

 This is a scam. Legitimate sweepstakes are free and require no pur-

chases.

Reverse mortgage abuse

 A reverse mortgage is not a scam; it is a loan accruing interest that

allows older consumers to convert home equity into cash. However,some unscrupulous salespeople might pressure you into taking out a

reverse mortgage that has very high fees.

Signs of a scam

• You’re asked to send money via wire transfer.

• You win a contest you never entered.

• You’re pressured to “act now!”• You must pay a fee to receive a prize.

• Your personal information is requested.

• A large down payment is requested.

• A company refuses to give written information.