Better Business Bureau Hosting Seminar To Warn Of Scams Targeting Seniors
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota warns seniors against the following scams, those especially that target seniors.
Here are four things seniors should watch for:
Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams: This happens when a victim receives a letter in the mail stating they have won a lottery or sweepstakes. Usually this letter instructs the victim to deposit an enclosed check and then wire some portion of that money back to the company. A lot of times the funds will initially show up in that person's bank account, the money then gets removed when the bank realizes the check is fake.
BBB Advice: Never wire money to someone you don't know. If a fee isn't involved, you haven't won anything.
Medicare Scams: Scammers usually claim to work for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, credit card or bank account numbers. The victim is usually given a long line of excuses as to why personal information is needed.
BBB Advice: Remind family members that Medicare will never ask you for personal information. Call the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General at 800-HHS-TIPS if you suspect fraud.
Bereavement Scams: This happens when scammers will often try to take advantage of senior citizens who have recently lost someone close to them, like their spouse. Scammers will look to obituaries for research, then call the widower and tell them they have outstanding debts.
BBB Advice: Offer to help elderly family members managing finances. Ask for written confirmation from any debt collectors.
Investment and Work-at-Home Opportunities – These usually promise easy money. Regardless of what type of pitch, these usually promise a quick way to make cash, which should be a red flag.
BBB Advice: Always research any of these with the Better Business Bureau.
The Better Business Bureau is hosting an event Wednesday to offer more insight on how to avoid these scams. It's at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley and starts at 9 a.m. The full details are below.
Metropolitan Ballroom
5418 Wayzata Blvd.
Golden Valley, MN 55416
9 a.m.: Enjoy continental breakfast and visit informational resource tables
9:30 a.m.: Top 5 Scams - hear from victims and experts
11:15 a.m.: Todd Kossow, Assistant Director, Federal Trade Commission Midwest Region; Commissioner Mike Rothman, Minnesota Department of Commerce; The Honorable Lori Swanson, Minnesota Attorney General
This event is free to the public and offered in partnership with AARP Minnesota, the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota & North Dakota and Twin Cities Public Television.
Click on the link to register for the event or call toll-free at 1-877-926-8300.