Latest / USA House Partners Podcast / Scammers are getting smarter—and seniors are one of their biggest targets.
Transcript
- Greg Raymer: Last year seniors lost over three billion dollars to fraud. Billion with a B. And the scammers are getting smarter every single year. This week I'm going to tell you exactly how they're doing it and most importantly how to stop them cold. Welcome back to a Senior Moment Podcast. I'm Greg. Every Thursday I bring you the news and information that matters most to us as seniors. And this is your first time joining us. Welcome. And Make sure you follow this page so you don't miss an episode. Alright, let's get into it. These are the three scams hitting seniors especially hard right now, and I want you to know all three. Number one, the Medicare card scam. You'll get a call from someone claiming to be from Medicare and they say your card's expiring or there's a problem with your account, and they need to verify your Medicare number to fix it. The moment you give them that number though, they can bill Medicare for services you never receive. And your coverage can be compromised. Here's the rule Medicare will never call you out of the blue asking for your number. Never. Just hang up. Number two, the grandparent scamp. You'll get a frantic call, sometimes it even sounds like your grandchild's voice. Arrested in an accident, stranded somewhere. They beg you not to tell their parents and ask you to wire money or send gift cards immediately. The urgency is the weapon. Slow down, hang up, and call your grandchild directly on a number you already know. Every single time. Number three, the tech support scam. A pop up appears on your computer saying your device is infected and you need to call a number immediately. You call They ask to remotely access your computer to fix it, and while they're in there, they'll steal your passwords, your bank information, everything. Legitimate tech companies do not send unsolicited pop-ups asking you to call them. Close the window and move on. These three scams alone account for hundreds of millions of losses to seniors every year. Share this episode with someone you care about. Your quick tip this week is one simple rule that stops most phone scams before they start. Never make a decision on an unexpected call ever. It doesn't matter how urgent they say it is, it doesn't matter if they claim to be Medicare, the IRS, your bank, or even your grandchild. If you didn't initiate the call, tell them you'll call ⁓ back and then look up the number yourself. Scammers rely on panic and speed. The moment you slow down, their power disappears. You can also register your number at the do not call dot gov to reduce unwanted calls. I'll put that link in the description. This week in the community corner, I want to ask you directly, has a scam ever targeted you or someone you love? You don't have to share details, but I know I'm not alone in saying these calls are are rattling, even when you know better. Drop a comment below and let the community know. Sometimes just hearing me too from someone else is enough to make the next person feel less embarrassed about almost falling for it. There's no shame here. These people are professionals. And keep those questions coming for future episodes. I read every single one of Scammers target seniors because they think we're vulnerable. Let's prove them wrong by staying informed, staying connected, and looking out for each other. And on a completely different note, if you or someone in your family is thinking about selling a home, downsizing, or exploring what your options look like as you move into the next chapter, your home may be your biggest asset. Knowing what it's worth and what your options are costs you nothing. I'm a real estate broker and I'm happy to always have that conversation with you. As we close out this week's episode, I want to remind you of one of my favorite scriptures from the Gospel of John, chapter 8, verse 32. And you shall know the truth. And the truth shall make you free. Stay sharp out there, and we'll see you next Thursday.