Avoiding Frauds and Scams

There are many criminals who use scams to defraud people. These scam artists can show up at your home, call your home, or contact you online. The Federal Trade Commission has a webpage with scam alerts, so that you can recognize new scams. Their most recent scam alert is "Scam-proof Your Doorstep", which discusses:

• home repair scams
• cable reconnect scams
• utility cut-on scams

You can read all the scam alerts here.

New "Aging on the Suncoast" Episode

The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas produces and hosts a community access television program, "Aging on the Suncoast". This program  provides information of interest to elders, their families and caregivers. The January program was  "Consumer Protection Part 1". This episode will help you recognize potential scams and how to protect yourself, if you are targeted. 

How to Avoid Credit Card Hacking Over The Holidays

Credit card fraud can happen as the result of thieves finding a credit card billing statement in your trash, or  by someone taking a picture of your credit card when you are checking out, or someone could hack into an online account. You can read more about credit card fraud on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) consumer information page here. To avoid fraud, the FTC recommends that you:

• Don't give out your account information to a company unless you called them and know that they are reputable company.
• Open your bills promptly and check for questionable charges.
• Carry only one credit card for a shopping trip.

 Here is a link to an article about "elder fraud" and services that have started up to help prevent elder fraud. 
 In the short video below, Marietta, the editor-in-chief of the Consumer Action Handbook, discusses how you can avoid being a victim of credit card hacking this holiday season:

Protect Yourself from Scams

The Elder Consumer Protection Program of the Stetson University College of Law provides educational materials and videos to help older adults avoid scams and fraud. They also provide consumer news and alerts. Here are links to several of their brochures:

• Financial Fraud Awareness
• Identity Theft Awareness
• Family-in-Need Scam
• Tax Season Scam Awareness

Below is their video about Financial Fraud:


You can find more videos here.

Report on Financial Abuse of Older Americans

The Metlife Mature Market Institute has published a report called “The MetLife Study of Elder Financial Abuse: Crimes of Occasion, Desperation, and Predation Against America’s Elders.” This study found that financial abuse of older Americans has increased 12% since 2008. The key findings of this study include:

• 51% of the reported fraud perpetrators were strangers
• 34% of the reported fraud perpetrators were family, friends, and neighbors of the victim
• 12% were businesses which exploited the elderly
• women were nearly twice as likely as men to be victims of elder financial abuse
• most victims were between the ages of 80- 89
• an estimated $2.9 billion dollars were lost by victims of financial abuse in 2010

The full study can be accessed here.

How can you avoid financial abuse and scams?  
The National Council on Aging has published an online handbook outlining how to avoid scams. This handbook is called "Savvy Saving Seniors: Steps to Avoiding Scams."  It lists the top ten scams targeting Seniors (on p. 10) and gives tips for avoiding scams (on p. 14).

Senior Safety Seminar at New River Library

The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas will be holding a free Senior Safety Seminar on Thursday, February 10th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at New River Library.  This program will tell you how to avoid scams and fraud.  Also, free safety phones will be available. 
           The presenters will be:

• Captain R. McKinney - Zephyrhills City Police Department
• Kathy Cornwell - Area Agency on Aging Victim Advocate
• Little Horatio - Pasco County's four legged victim advocate

New River Library
34043 State Road 54
Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813)788-6375

Free Seminar on How to Avoid Financial Scams and Fraud

The Stetson University College of Law sponsors the Elder Consumer Protection Program.  This program was designed to provide an educational resource for topics pertaining to elder consumer protection - including financial scams and fraud.  The college sponsors free events as part of this program.  There are three upcoming programs: "Shield Yourself from Financial Exploitation (Financial and Consumer Scams and Frauds)", "Protect Yourself from Financial Abuse (Family Issues, Preplanning, Personal Legal Document Basics)", and "Batten Down Against Disaster Frauds and Scams (Price Gouging, Home Repair, Charity Fraud, Insurance)".

The first program is:

"Shield Yourself from Financial Exploitation (Financial and Consumer Scams and Frauds)"

Tuesday, January 25th 

from 9:00am - 2:00pm

at the Stetson University College of Law 

(Eleazer Courtroom)

1401 61^st Street South

Gulfport, Florida 33707

Although the program is free, they do require that you register, as there is limited space.  Light breakfast and lunch will be provided to registered attendees.  You can call  727-562-7888 to register or to get more information or you can e-mail elderconsumers@law.stetson.ed.

In addition, free consumer services will be available at this event -such as do-not-call/opt-out registration, free credit reports, and secure document shredding.