At September’s Larimer Senior Education Network meeting, the program discussed senior fraud and available senior resources. Jessica Krough with AARP’s Elderwatch program explained the top scams affecting seniors. Professors Sue Schneider and Allyson Brothers with the CSU’s Extension Services and Human Development & Family Studies Department explained their new Senior Access Points program.
Jessica said keeping abreast of frauds that target older adults is high priority by AARP and law enforcement. ElderWatch is an AARP sponsored program designed to identify frauds that target seniors, who are most vulnerable. She indicated the top scams are IRS scams, grandparent scams, lottery scams, computer tech scams, ID theft, Yes scams, fake charity scams, online dating scams, home repair scams, and wire transfer scams. To see more information on scams, please visit AARP’s ElderWatch website at www.aarpelderwatch.org.
Sue and Allyson discussed their Senior Access Points program, an initiative to ensure older adults and their family members know where to look for aging-related resources before a crisis arises. Senior Access Points is collaboration between CSU Extension, CSU’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies, the Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities, and the Larimer County Office on Aging. For more resource info, please visit CSU’s website at www.senioraccesslarimer.colostate.edu.
Senior Access Points initiated a survey to Larimer County seniors about needed resources. Interestingly, the survey results indicated several problems in accessing resources.
Top Senior Scams
1) IRS scams where criminals file false tax returns unknown to their victims or call the victims indicating they owe money to the IRS. IRS never calls, but sends a letter if there is a tax problem. The criminal obtains the victim’s social security number and address info and files a false tax return in February and receives the tax refund. Unfortunately, this is a multi-billion dollar scam industry that is being resolved slowly by law enforcement and AARP. The best defense is to file your tax return early and never give your SS number or address to unknown people over the phone.
2) Grandparent scams take advantage of victims by scammers calling them to let them know their grandchildren are in jail usually in another country and need money ASAP to bail them. Never fall for this scam until you verify the individual or their story is true.
3) Lottery scams involve false lottery claims that the senior has won a large sum of money. Never fall for this scam as the true lottery companies never call and send a letter.
4) Computer tech support scams involve sending a virus to the senior’s computer and locking up the computer screen and providing a message to call a phone number. The technician who answers says he can fix your computer for a fee. Never fall for this scam as it is advised to turn your computer off and restart it to eliminate the problem.
5) ID theft is still a major problem that affects seniors. Scammers rob your important info to open a new credit card account and charge lots if items to the new account. Your only defense is to monitor the three credit reporting agencies to make sure no one has opened unauthorized accounts in your name.
6) ‘Yes’ scams involve a caller asking you to say yes to several questions on vacation trips or time share condos and needing your credit card info for the bogus trip or time share. Be aware and verify before saying Yes to any telephone or online offer!
7) Fake charity scams involves a caller asking for donations for a worthy but false charity in your area or even the recent hurricane disaster relief efforts. Never fall for these charity requests without verifying them.
8) Online dating scams are unbelievable, yet many seniors fall for this scam. Check with AARP Elderwatch and BBB to see if these are really legitimate organizations.
9) Home repair scams are increasing where the caller provides lucrative offers on repairs that never happen. Check AARP’s Elderwatch or BBB’s Scamtracker websites to see if the home repair company is legitimate.
10) And last, wire transfer scams are on the rise where the caller impersonates a family member and asks to send money or open a subscription to an online service.
Be aware and always verify the organization through AARP, BBB or even with relatives or friends.
Senior Access Program
The Senior Access Points program determined from the collaboration with their partners:
1) Older adults and their family members often do not know where to turn when a new need or crisis arises.
2) Many aging-related community services are available for seniors in Larimer County but a coordinated, county-wide outreach effort is needed.
Highest access points for getting information to seniors included doctor’s offices, Senior Centers, libraries, and Larimer County Office on Aging.
A senior survey was completed by residents in Larimer County with 246 responses. The results showed: 1) 77% responded on using local senior related resources, 2) 53% are over 60 years of age, 3) 86% are women, 4) 58% are still working, nearly 5) 70% live in Fort Collins, and 6) 50% are caring for a parent.
Top reasons on seeking resources included 1) 43% indicated declining health reasons, 2) 36% indicated locating caregiver re3sources, 3) 35% indicated finding home care resources or medical equipment, 4) 30% indicated forgetfulness or dementia issues, 5) 30% indicated housing issues, 6) 15% indicated mental health issues, and 7) 20% indicated transportation issues.
From the survey and collaboration, the partnership determined they needed to 1) identify key access points, 2) produce outreach materials, and 3) create an Ambassador pilot program.
Key access points included the Larimer County Office on Aging and creating a Senior Access Points website in providing resource information within Larimer County.
Outreach program included multiple marketing materials to be distributed within Larimer County to seniors. And last, an ambassador program included recruiting and training volunteers with a senior outreach plan to be evaluated for six months.
Included in their overall program is a storytelling project, media campaign, and working with the Hispanic community.
Thanks to the presenters for providing valuable information for seniors!
Pictured l-r: Jessica Krough, Allyson Brothers, and Sue Schneider