Playing it safe:
Seniors need to be aware of frauds and scams

With more than one million Pennsylvanians over the age of 75, it is no wonder that senior citizens are often prime targets for those individuals who make a living from fraudulently deceiving other people. While the best defense against these predators is staying well educated about the latest defense technologies, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett offers a variety of suggestions on his web site, www.attorneygeneral.gov, to put seniors more at ease.

First are issues in the realm of home improvement. Since most home improvement work done by seniors involves hiring an outside contractor, always read the contract carefully. Be sure that the contract includes start and end dates, the exact price of the work to be done, the exact work to be done and a three-day right to cancel notice. Of course, the name and address of the contractor is a must as well. Be wary if the address given is a P.O. box, the business may not be legitimate. Pay attention to how the contractor communicates with you. If he is using scare tactics or being overly aggressive, don’t sign anything. As with any large project, be sure to get at least three estimates before choosing a contractor.

Telemarketing is another area seniors need to watch out for. First and foremost, if you get a call claiming you’ve won some sort of contest that you “forgot” entering, odds are you never entered any contest and the caller is more than likely trying to pull a scam. This is a typical tactic used by many telemarketing companies to try and get the caller’s attention. If there is a circumstance when you did actually enter a contest and win a prize, keep in mind that most legitimate contests don’t ask you to make a purchase in order to win a prize. One simple way of eliminating this problem altogether is registering for the Pennsylvania “Do Not Call List” by calling 1-888-777-3406 or by logging on to www.nocallsplease.com.

Next, keep a close eye on different sweepstakes. It is a federal criminal offense to sell and traffic in foreign lottery tickets – if someone tries selling you foreign lotto tickets not only are they breaking the law, but you, the buyer, would be engaging in criminal activity as well. Also, beware of people requiring you to pay up front to get your winnings (this goes for any type of lottery).

Also be wary of door-to-door salesmen. While they may have been more prevalent in the past, this profession does still exist, and due to new technologies it is even easier for these salespeople to know everyone’s buying habits and income bracket. Don’t give in to high-pressure tactics. Often, you’ll hear claims like “Buy today and I’ll throw in…” or “This is a one time offer.” While these may sound great, odds are your neighbor heard the same remarks yesterday. Remember the cooling off rule. You have three days to cancel any contract you sign at home.

Last, be cautious of financial scams in general. Never sign a sales agreement or contract without reviewing it with a knowledgeable source. Whether that source is your attorney or best friend doesn’t matter as long as they know what they’re talking about.
Obviously, situations like the above mentioned ones aren’t going to find you every day, but it is a good idea to be prepared. Always check with your local Better Business Bureau. Stay informed and don’t become the next victim.

Frank M. Skrip Jr. is a public relations intern at Concordia Lutheran Ministries.