SENIORSCENE

As part of the Better Business Bureau’s Institute for Marketplace Ethics, welcome to the Senior Scene which is an extension of out Senior Outresach Program.

Nationwide, scams againsts seniors generated billions of dollars each year for criminals. Seniors are often targeted by scam artists because they are generally more trusting and are perceived to be easier to persuade. Seniors may not be aware that they have fallen for a scam until it’s too late and may avoid telling anyone for fear of losing independence by appearing so vulnerable.

Our goal is to inform seniors and other groups about issues of interest to seniors today. We give

consumers the tools to deal with frauds and scams directed at this growing demographic.

Consumers can connect to the resources of the Better Business Bureau and other agencies to become better informed in today’s marketplace.

BE WISE BE INFORMED BE EMPOWEREDCheck with the BBB first.

To request materials or to have someone from the BBB speak to your group about marketplace issues, contact Gary Johnson, Senior Programs Manager

(651) 695-2424 or gjohnson@thefirstbbb.org.

SENIORSCENE

SCENE SENIOR

SENIORSCENE

WarningSigns & Tips For Caregivers

Every year, senior citizens are targeted by con artists. Many of these victims don’t ask for help until it is too late!

WARNING SIGNS:

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TIPS:

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BE WISE BE INFORMED BE EMPOWEREDCheck with the BBB first.

To request materials or to have someone from the BBB speak to your group about marketplace issues, contact Gary Johnson, Senior Programs Manager

(651) 695-2424 or gjohnson@thefirstbbb.org.

SENIORSCENE

Charities are seeking contributions more than ever now due to ever-rising costs and demand for services. With the majority of the money raised by charities in this country coming from individuals, BBB offers the following advice to help donors make wise giving decisions:

Warning Signs•�  �  Sound-Alike Names: Don’t be fooled

by names that sound impressive or that closely resemble the name of a well-known organization.

•�  �  High-Pressure Tactics: Be wary if an on-the-spot donation is requested. A legitimate charity will welcome your donation as much tomorrow as they will today.

•�  �  Emotional Appeals: Be cautious of vague appeals that offer gifts or base their appeal on a heart-breaking story, but are short on facts describing the charity’s services.

•�  �  Cash Payment Requested: Always pay by check and never by cash, and be sure to make the check payable to the organization and not to the individual.

•�  �  Unable to Provide Information: If the organization cannot provide you with information regarding their services, walk away. A legitimate organization will offer you a brochure detailing their services, or may direct you to their web site.

Tips for Giving Wisely•�  �  Confirm�  that�  the�  charity�  is�  an�  IRS�  501(c)(3)�  

entity�  by�  contacting�  the�  IRS.

•�  �  If�  contacted�  by�  phone,�  ask�  for�  the�  

organization’s address, phone number and a contact person so that you know where your money is going. Before sending any money, do your research to find out if the organization is legitimate.

•�  �  Verify�  that�  the�  charity�  asking�  for�  

donations is registered with Minnesota and North Dakota. Organizations are required to register here before asking for donations.

•�  �  Keep�  records�  of�  your�  

donations so you can document your charitable giving at tax time.

•�  �  Check�  out�  the�  

organization with BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance at bbb.org/charity.

SENIORSCENESENIORSCENE

Guidelines forGiving Wisely To Charities

BE WISE BE INFORMED BE EMPOWEREDCheck with the BBB first.

To request materials or to have someone from the BBB speak to your group about marketplace issues, contact Gary Johnson, Senior Programs Manager

(651) 695-2424 or gjohnson@thefirstbbb.org.

MarketplaceDo’s & Don’ts For Seniors

DON’Ts:

1. Never do business with someone who shows up at your door be-fore doing your research.

2. Avoid giving out personal information to an unknown caller or through e-mail.

3. Do not wire money before verifying who the money is going to.

4. Resist high pressure sales tactics. Take your time and ask questions before making any decisions.

DOs:

1. Register your phone number with the National Do-Not-Call registry at 1-888-382-1222.

2. Keep careful records of all transactions and shred documents before throwing them away.

3. Trust your instincts. If an o!er sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

4. Research a business at bbb.org prior to doing business with them.

SENIORSCENESENIORSCENEBE WISE BE INFORMED BE EMPOWERED

Check with the BBB first.

To request materials or to have someone from the BBB speak to your group about marketplace issues, contact Gary Johnson, Senior Programs Manager

(651) 695-2424 or gjohnson@thefirstbbb.org.

SENIORSCENE

Top Ten Red Flags For Seniors

If you answer “yes” to any of the following, contact your BBB:

1. Have you received a phone call asking for your personal information, bank account or credit card numbers, or Medicare ID number?

2. Did you receive a check in the mail with a letter stating you’ve won a sweepstakes or prize?

3. Has someone knocked on your door selling products or�  services�  (such�  as�  a�  

roofer offering a discount or an individual selling

magazines or home alarm�  installation)?

4. Does the offer or product sound too good to be true?

5. Have you been asked to wire money or return an overpayment?

6. Have you found unexpected charges to your bank account or credit card?

7. Did you receive an e-mail claiming to be from your financial institution asking you to update your account information?

8. Did you receive a high-pressure, emotional call from a charity with a name that sounds similar to a recognized charity?

9. Were you invited to an estate planning seminar?

10. Did you get a call from someone in distress claiming to be your grandchild asking you to wire money to get out of a bind or call them back using an 876 area code?

SENIORSCENEBE WISE BE INFORMED BE EMPOWERED

Check with the BBB first.

To request materials or to have someone from the BBB speak to your group about marketplace issues, contact Gary Johnson, Senior Programs Manager

(651) 695-2424 or gjohnson@thefirstbbb.org.

SENIORSCENESENIORSCENE

Important Resources For Seniors

BBB serving MN & ND651-699-1111�  or�  800-646-6222www.thefirstbbb.org Stop Junk Mail/TelemarketingDirect Marketing Association (Junk mail)�  212-768-7277 www.dmachoice.org

Credit Card O!ers 888-567-8688

Do Not Call Registry �  �  �  866-290-4236�  or �  �  �  888-382-1222�  or www.donotcall.gov

Federal Trade Commission

ID Theft877-438-4338

Debt Collection877-382-4357 www.ftc.gov Social Security800-269-0271www.ssa.gov MN Attorney GeneralConsumer Protection 651-296-3353�  or 800-296-3787

www.ag.state.mn.us

ND Attorney GeneralConsumer Protection701-328-6888�  or�  800-472-2600www.ag.state.nd.us U.S. Senate: Special Committee on Aging http://aging.senate.gov

Senior Linkage Line800-333-2433 www.minnesotahelp.info AARP866-554-5381 www.aarp.org Internet Crime Complaint Centerwww.ic3.gov Minnesota Fraud Enforcement Partnership886-347-0911 www.mnscams.org Credit Reporting AgenciesEquifax800-525-6285

Experian800-301-7195

TransUnion800-680-7289

Free Annual Credit Report877-322-8228�  orwww.annualcreditreport.com

BE WISE BE INFORMED BE EMPOWEREDCheck with the BBB first.

To request materials or to have someone from the BBB speak to your group about marketplace issues, contact Gary Johnson, Senior Programs Manager

(651) 695-2424 or gjohnson@thefirstbbb.org.

Top Scams Targeting Seniors

SENIORSCENESENIORSCENE

LOTTERY AND SWEEPSTAKES SCAMSYou receive a check and letter announcing you have won a large sum of money. The letter tells you to deposit the check and wire funds in the same amount to cover fees, insurance and taxes. Ultimately, the check is counterfeit and the money you send is lost.

•�  �  Avoid�  wiring�  money�  to�  someone�  who�  

awards you with something too good to be true, and never pay money to accept a prize.

GRANDPARENT SCAMSenior�  citizens�  are�  being�  targeted�  by�  

callers claiming to be their grandchild. The caller often claims to have gotten into a predicament in a different state, and asks you to wire money to them to post bail or pay for damages. The money ultimately goes to a scam artist, and you are out possibly thousands of dollars.

•�  �  Verify�  that�  you�  are�  truly�  speaking�  with�  

your grandchild by asking questions only they could answer, and contact your grandchild’s parents to find out their whereabouts before trusting the caller.

HOME REPAIR FRAUDA person comes to your door and claims to be a repair expert. He tells you that he noticed your home, usually your roof or driveway, needs a repair and he can offer you a great deal. In the end, you could end up the victim for a job you didn’t need at all.

•�  �  Trust�  your�  instincts.�  If�  the�  “expert”�  uses�  

high pressure sales tactics or you feel intimidated, turn them away.

•�  �  Never�  pay�  the�  cost�  of�  a�  

job upfront.

•�  �  If�  you�  are�  unsure�  

if your home truly needs a repair, contact a BBB Accredited contractor for an estimate at bbb.org.

BE WISE BE INFORMED BE EMPOWEREDCheck with the BBB first.

To request materials or to have someone from the BBB speak to your group about marketplace issues, contact Gary Johnson, Senior Programs Manager

(651) 695-2424 or gjohnson@thefirstbbb.org.