WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ELDER FRAUD

Christopher Dobbs, Investigator with the Anderson County District Attorney’s office, addressed over 100 “Senior Friends” at Palestine Regional Medical Center on Tuesday concerning issues related to elder fraud.

Dobbs began by stating that “30% of all scam victims are over 65. However, only 1 in thousands reports their victimization.”

Varieties of fraud include:

• Telemarketing scams
• Mortgage, reverse mortgage, home equity
• Home Repair
• Power of Attorney
• Medicare/Medicaid
• Embezzlement
• ID Theft

One of the largest areas of fraud is linked to telemarketing. Dobbs urged his audience, “If a caller is abusive – Hang Up. If it sounds too good to be true – Hang Up!” He recommended that everyone should ask to be placed on the “Do Not Call” list.

Elders are more than 3 times likely to be victims of home repair scams. “If someone approaches you, calls or comes to your home unsolicited, they may claim you have repairs that are ‘immediately necessary’,” Dobbs stated. “They may claim that your house will be a ‘model’, or tell you that your home requires ‘special order’ products,” he continued.

“Always analyze every document carefully and get a second opinion prior to agreement,” Dobbs stated. He encouraged people to check references and always be wary of door-to- door salespeople.

For more information on all of these frauds and scams, contact the Anderson County District Attorney’s Office at 903-723-7454.

Senior Friends is a national organization with a chapter at Palestine Regional. Programs are presented monthly and are designed to empower people who are 50 and better to live healthier, happier lives. Membership is $15 per year. For more information, please contact Andrea Sims, RN, Senior Friends Coordinator at 903-731-8902.