6 Tipoffs that Your Family Member Is a Scam Target
By: Source: AARP Bulletin Today Date Posted: 2006-07-31 15:17:47.383071-04:00
Often, scam artists convince their prey to keep details of the "deal" secret—even from friends or family members—by suggesting, for instance, that the deal wouldn't be such a deal if everybody got in on it.
As a result, you may have to read between the lines to determine if your friends or relatives are likely targets of scam artists. Keep an eye out for these six tipoffs:
- Frequent calls during your visits from folks offering money-making opportunities or seeking charitable donations.
- Lots of new, cheap stuff lying around. Look for items like watches, pens and pencils, small appliances, water filters and beauty products—all of which often flow from "order to win" or "receive a valuable prize" offers.
- Secretive behavior regarding mail or phone calls.
- Payments to unfamiliar entities or irregular withdrawals. These can show up as checks or wire transfers, and they are often for increasing amounts of money to out-of-state or unfamiliar companies.
- New subscriptions to magazines they don't need or haven't received previously.
- Financial troubles. Watch for a sudden inability to buy food or other necessities or pay bills.
HOW TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM
You have a delicate job addressing your concerns for your loved one who's the victim of a scam—while also helping to maintain a sense of independence and security. For example, it might help to offer to manage the victim's mail, but this offer might be perceived as an unwanted loss of control. Follow these guidelines:
- Don't blame the person for being foolish. Scam artists are good at what they do, and they especially target older Americans. Show empathy with your loved ones, and let them know they're not alone. Consumers of all education and economic backgrounds lose $40 billion a year to telemarketing scams alone.
- Underscore the criminal nature of scams—and the consequences it creates for your loved one. Scam artists succeed by establishing rapport and empathy with their victims. The more your loved one understands the harm that comes from the relationship, the more likely he or she will recognize the risk.
- Use "do not solicit" lists. The Direct Marketing Association allows consumers to opt out of lists used by telemarketing and direct-mail companies. (Use the forms on the DMA site's Consumer Assistance page, or write the organization at 1111 19th St., N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. 20036.) Many states also offer "do not call" lists, and the FTC is even considering a national "do not call" list for telemarketing.
- Teach your loved one how to react to potential scams. In most instances, if they hang up or refuse a door-to-door salesperson when they suspect fraud, they'll prevent the scam from occurring.
- Suggest changing your loved one's phone number.
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