Senior Scams Columns

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Scammers, right down Santa Claus lane! Personally, I wish Santa would throw the scammers right off his sled on the way. But alas, they are blazing their way into our lives. Here is the last month’s highlight of active scammers. Be very alert as we move into the Christmas season.

[caption … (read more…)

Every day, scammers claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or other agency bilk Americans out of their money. These criminals succeed because their tactics are both believable and relentless: older adults lost $200 million to such schemes in 2023 alone. Learn how to identify and avoid current government imposter … (read more…)

When COVID-19 hit, many Americans saw the internet as a lifeline—connecting them to family
and friends, work colleagues, health care services and online shopping for necessities such as 
groceries. Internet crime has jumped in Colorado and nationwide amid the pandemic. And while
people have largely returned to meeting and … (read more…)

Be aware of fake websites during the holiday shopping season! There has been a rash of fake websites appearing during the holiday shopping season, especially during the Black Friday and later holiday shopping online scams. After investigating fake websites, phishing and other fraudulent websites, they are actually easy to identify as most of them … (read more…)

February has been a very busy month with scammers using email, phone and text messaging to reach out and help themselves to our money. Right now, the most prevalent scam has been filing for unemployment benefits in your name, USBank Relia card, and now you might be receiving a 1099 for the unemployment benefits you have not requested nor received. … (read more…)

As the country begins to distribute COVID-19 vaccines, there’s no doubt scammers are already scheming. Medicare and the government covers the COVID-19 vaccine for all Americans, so there is no cost to you. If anyone asks you to share your Medicare number or pay for the vaccine, it’s a scam!

(read more…)

Please be alert to two scams that have really lit up the airwaves. Please feel free to share this and any of the scam cards on the website with all your friends and family. Awareness is the only way we will protect ourselves from these bad actors.

(read more…)

With the United States approving several COVID-19 vaccines, government officials expect scams to emerge as distribution begins. Watch out for everything from phony treatments to phishing messages. What to Expect from Scammers: Government officials have al-ready been cracking down on phony COVID testing kits and treatments.

[caption … (read more…)

Over these holidays, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office has been seeing (and receiving) various email scams related to the pandemic. If you are due a stimulus check, it will automatically be deposited in your bank account if you have chosen direct deposit on your income taxes. If not, the government will send you a paper check.

(read more…)

As the country begins to distribute COVID-19 vaccines, there’s no doubt scammers are already scheming. Medicare and the U.S. Government covers the COVID-19 vaccine for all Americans, so there will be no cost to you. For Medicare or any health insurance recipients: If anyone asks you to share your Medicare or Health Insurance Number to pay for … (read more…)

There is no question about it, 2020 has been more than challenging, but the New Year is right around the corner. Let’s hope 2021 brings us goodness in the form of health and peace.

With the holidays here, I thought it would be helpful to recap some common scams that have escalated during COVID-19 and also provide a few shopping tips to keep you … (read more…)

Holiday celebrations will likely look very different in 2020 as we seek out a balance between celebrating with loved ones and staying safe. But one tradition isn’t going anywhere: Sadly, ‘tis still the season for scams, as cybercrooks cook up schemes to exploit our holiday habits.

A few scams are specific to the holidays, but most are … (read more…)