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Don't be a Victim of a Con-Artist!
Scams Focusing on Senior Citizens
Important Telephone Numbers
Texas Dept. Of Humane Services
1-(800) 458-9859
Adult Protecitve Services
1-(800) 252-5400
IF someone offers you a deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Yet everyday people get taken in by different schemes. Con-Artists defraud and cheat unsuspecting citizens out of billions of dollars each year.
The swindler's prime target is the senior citizen. Swindlers see the elderly as easy marks for many reasons. Many senior citizens live on social security and pensions supplemented by savings.
The Phony Bank Examiner Scheme:
A telephone caller will identify himself as a bank examiner who is trying to weed out a dishonest employee by getting you to withdraw money from your account and turn it over to them.
Con-Artist Schemes come in a variety situations.
Buying at the Door Schemes:
Someone might come to your door and offer to selll home insulation, energy-saving devices or burglar bars. BEWARE! Do not purchase or sign any contracts without first without first having it examined by someone you know and trust. Also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if this company is Legitimate.
Pigeon Drop:
The swindler will claim to have found a large sum of money with you being a witness to the findings. A second person will come into the scene and help to convince you to put up good faith money, and then switch the real money with phoney money and leave you holding the bag.
Remember anything that sounds too good to be true might be just that:
So talk with your bank officer before withdrawing a large sum of money from your bank account. *Remember, most criminals look for the easiest way to get something of value, or to get you to write a check for more than $20.00.
Purse Snatch:
Purse snatching is a common crime, but not widely publicized. Any woman is a target for this offense, even though elderly women seem to be more vulnerable.
*do not carry a shoulder bag over the shoulder.
*Carry a small clutch-type handbag.
*Do not carry large sums of money, valuable jewelry, or all of your credit cards in your purse.
The harder you make it, the less likely you are to become the victim of a crime. If you become a victim of a crime.
Don't send money to callers if they:
*Want money for a prize you are told that you have won.
*Offer to send a courier to pick up your check.
*Claim the other company you dealt with went out of business but they have prize for free.
*Offer, for a fee, to recover money you lost to a previous con.
*Claim their offer won't wait, that you have to act now.
*Claim there is no time to send anything in writing.
*State that the promised return is guaranteed.
*Congratulate you for being such a lucky person.
*Ask for money to pay the tax on a free gift.
****Answer by Saying: I do not talk to solicitors and hang up!****
Report these calls to your local law enforcement agency. Cal your state Attorney General's office of the National Fraud Information Center 1-(800) 876-7060. Telemarketing fraud is a Crime.
Fraudulent telemarketers are criminals.
Don't fall for a Con-Line.
