Fraud Prevention Month: Basic Safety Tips


Fraud Month image of computer keyboard with red enter fraud button

Fraud prevention starts with education. It’s difficult to remember all the schemes that fraudsters try and that’s why it’s good to start with a few basic safety tips.

  1. If someone calls and asks you to identify yourself or give personal details, hang up. Your bank, the government, police and other official bodies will never ask for personally identifiable information.
  2. Fraudsters often pose as grandchildren or family members who urgently need funds. Typically they say they have been jailed for drinking and driving, or have a medical emergency. Hang up and call them back or call another family member.
  3. Never admit service people to your home without seeing their identification, even if they are wearing a uniform. If you are still uncertain, telephone their employer to confirm.
  4. Beware of escalating relationships with people you meet on social media or dating websites. Someone who quickly professes their love, or claims to be wealthy but needs to borrow money may be trying to extort money.
  5. A bank investigator will never call and ask you to withdraw or transfer money to help them catch a criminal.
  6. Fraudsters are most successful when they catch you off guard. That’s why they call early in the morning or even in the middle of the night.

Through both education and awareness, we can reassure older persons that they are not alone and, if fooled by these very skilled criminals, their money can often be recovered. Check back throughout March as we bring you more information about Fraud Prevention and how older people can protect themselves. Take advantage of our resources to use with your local partners.

CRNs: Here are two topics or social media posts to get you started:

Banks never ask for help with investigations or ask you to transfer money to an external account for security. #FraudPreventionMonth

Never give anyone remote access to your computer. If you have problems with your computer, take it to a local technician. #FraudPreventionMonth

 

 

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