Scams, Schemes & Frauds
Impacting Older Adults
and
How to Avoid Being a Victim
Presented by Bonnie Dahl, Esquire, Raquel Smith, Legal Advocate,
and Karen Chenoweth, MSW
SeniorLAW Center
CARIE - Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the
Elderly
Thursday, January 12, 2012
1
• Largest provider of legal services to seniors in
Pennsylvania
• Independent non-profit organization
• Serving over 10,000 seniors each year with:
o
o
o
o
o
direct individual representation
legal advice, information & referral services
community legal education
professional training
systemic reform
• Legal staff and pro bono panel
• Celebrating over 30 Years of
Service (1978 – 2011)
2
Projects and Clinics:
•
Homeowners Assistance Program
• Project S.A.F.E.
(Stop Abuse & Financial Exploitation)
•
Serving Older Women Victims Of Violence & Sexual Assault
•
Kin C.A.N. (“Kinship Caregiver Assistance Network”)
•
The Hospice and Home Care Legal Project
•
Fostering Connections to Kinship Care (DHS, abuse and neglect)
•
Community-Based Legal Services, including home and hospital visits and
neighborhood legal clinics throughout Philadelphia
3
Projects and Clinics (cont.):
•
Legal Services for Asian Elders
•
Pension Rights Project
•
Legal Services For Hispanic Elders
•
Pennsylvania SeniorLAW HelpLine 1 877 PA SR LAW
4
Founded in 1977, CARIE’s mission is:
“To improve the well-being, rights and autonomy of older
persons through advocacy, education and action”
5
Circle of
Advocacy
CASE
ACTION
CAUSE
6
• CARIE LINE
 T-SAP
 PAVE
 APPRISE
• Long Term Care Ombudsman
• PA-SMP
• Education and Research
• Public Policy Initiatives
7
Scams, Schemes and Frauds
Facts
• Financial fraud is one of the most common yet under-reported forms
of elder abuse
• Financial scams targeting seniors have become so prevalent that
they are now considered the crime of the 21st century [NCOA Report
2011]
• Elder financial fraud victims lose an estimated 2.9 billion dollars
annually [2011 Met life study]
• As the population of senior citizens increases, so does the number of
people willing to take advantage of them
• Today’s webinar will focus on ten common scams impacting seniors

8
Top Ten Scams, Schemes, and
Frauds
• Home Improvement Fraud
• Debt Relief Fraud
• Funeral Fraud
• Reverse Mortgage Scams
• Investment Scams
• Telemarketing Fraud
• Internet Fraud
• Lottery and Sweepstakes Fraud
• Phony “Government” Scams
• Grandparent Scam
9
Home Improvement Fraud
Be wary of the contractor who:
• Solicits door to door
• Just happens to have materials left over from a previous job
• Only accepts cash payments
• Asks you to get the required building permits
• Does not list a business number in the local telephone directory
• Uses high pressure sales tactics
• Fails to provide a written contract
• Requests full payment before completing work
• Offers exceptionally long guarantees
• Offers home improvement loans
10
Home Improvement Fraud
Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams
• Obtain more than one bid for the job
• Insist that the contract be in writing
• Don’t pay contractor before you read and sign a contract
• Don’t pay contractor more than 1/3 of the contract price to begin work
• Sign contract before the work begins and keep a copy for your records
• Contract must state the exact work to be done and include start and completion dates
along with the total cost of the project
• Obtain the name, address (not P.O.Box) and phone number of contractor on contract.
• Get license number and name license is under on the contract
• Check to see if contractor registered with Pennsylvania Attorneys General office.
• Check for complaints with the Better Business Bureau
• Never make final payment until you are completely satisfied with the work
11
Home Improvement Fraud
What to do if you have been the victim of
Home Improvement Fraud:
• File Complaints with the various government agencies
• Small Claims Court or Common Pleas Court
• Call Pennsylvania SeniorLAW HelpLine 1-877-727-7529
12
Home Improvement Programs and
Resources
Go to:
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/states/pennsylvania/ho
meownership/homerepairs
•HUD website gives an extensive list of organizations that
provide homeowners with home repairs and improvements by
city/town and county
13
Debt Relief Fraud
Bogus Credit Counseling Services and Debt Management Plans (DMP)
• Lie about their nonprofit status
• Don't provide education and counseling
• Often arrange for consumers to pay debt through a DMP
• Many have been shut down by the FTC
How A DMP Works:
• Deposit money each month with the credit counseling service, which uses your deposits
to pay your unsecured debts
• Counselor develops payment schedule with creditors
• Creditor may agree to low interest rates and waive certain fees
• DMP requires the counseling service to make regular timely payments
• May take up to 48 months to complete
• Must agree not to apply for or use any additional credit while in the plan
14
Debt Relief Fraud
Tips for Avoiding Debt Management Plan Fraud
Be wary of credit counseling organizations that:
• Charge high up-front fees for enrolling in credit counseling or a DMP
• Pressure you to make “voluntary contribution,” another name for fees
• Try to enroll you in a DMP without spending time reviewing your financial
situation
• Offer to enroll you in a DMP without teaching you budgeting and money
management skills
• Demand that you make payments into a DMP before your creditors have
accepted you into the program
15
Debt Relief Fraud
More Tips for Avoiding Debt Management Fraud
Protect Yourself
• Contact your creditors and confirm that they have accepted the proposed
plan before you send any payments to the counseling service handling your
DMP
• Always read your monthly statements promptly
• Check to see if licensed or registered with the state
• Don’t commit to participate in a DMP over the telephone
• Get the DMP in writing. Make sure it includes a detailed price quote of all
fees charged
• Ask what safeguards are in place to protect the privacy of your information
• Contact Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a list of bona fide
credit counselors
16
Debt Relief Fraud
What to do if you have been a victim of DMP fraud or
DMP company has closed down.
•Stop all automatic bank payments
• Start paying your bills directly to your creditors - ask if they
will give reduction in interest rate
•Order copy of credit report - ask that late notations be
removed
•Report to government agencies
•Make a police report
•File Complaint in Court
17
Debt Relief Fraud
Debt Negotiation Programs
The Claims:
• Claim can arrange to have debt paid off anywhere from 10 to 50
percent of the balance owed
• Claim services will have little or no negative impact on your credit
• Claim negative information can be removed from your credit repor
• Tell you to stop making payments to creditors - send to them
• Promise to hold your funds in a special account and pay your
creditors on your behalf
18
Debt Relief Fraud
The Truth:
•No guarantee that their services are legitimate
• No guarantee creditor will accept partial payment
• If you stop making payment (interest & fees continue)
• Debt negotiation companies charge: fee to establish the account, monthly
service fee, and a final fee of a % of the money you've saved
• No payments are made to the creditor until account has built up enough funds
for realistic settlement of account.
• Debt negotiation companies rarely reach out to creditor for settlement, but
rather wait until you receive collection letters.
•Negative entry on credit report
•Creditor can still sue and get a judgment
19
Funeral Fraud
•Overcharging for goods and services
•Selling unnecessary services and goods
•Stealing or mismanaging funeral prepayment funds
20
Funeral Fraud
At-Need Funeral Arrangements
A Grieving Heart can be an opening to empty your pocketbook
• FTC created the "Funeral Rule" to stop abusive practices (a copy can be found at
www.bbb.org)
• According to the Funeral Rule:
• The right to choose the funeral goods and services you want (with some exceptions)
• The funeral provider must state this right in writing on the general price list
• If state or local law requires you to buy a particular item, it must be disclosed on the
price list
• The funeral provider may not refuse, or charge a fee, to handle a casket you bought
somewhere else
• A funeral provider who offers cremations must make alternative containers available
21
Funeral Fraud
Pre-paid Funeral Plans: How to avoid being a victim of fraud
•Pennsylvania's Future Interment Law governs pre-paid funeral
goods and services
•You can make plans in advance, without prepaying
•A funeral director shall deposit in escrow or transfer in trust to a
banking institution in this Commonwealth, the entire amount of
monies received by the funeral director under a prepaid contract
for funeral services or merchandise, including additional service
fees or arrangement fees.
•The "Funeral Rule" applies - all rule requirements to be followed
at the time the funeral arrangements are pre-planned
22
Funeral Fraud
Important issues to consider before paying any money
• What are your paying for? Services and goods
• What happens to the money you prepaid?
• What happens to the interest income on money that is prepaid and
put into a trust account?
• Are you protected if the firm you dealt with goes out of business?
• Can you cancel the contract and get a full refund if you change your
mind?
• What happens if you move to a different area?
• Be sure to tell your family about the plans made
23
Funeral Fraud
Tips to Avoid being a victim of funeral fraud
•
•
•
•
Be an informed consumer
Shop around
Funeral homes are required to provide detailed price lists
Ask if lower priced items are included on the price list
• Check out the funeral service
• Contact BBB
• Check to see if funeral director is licensed with State Board of Funeral
Directors @ www.state.pa.us
• Require that everything be in writing
• Itemize all prices
• Specify any future costs
• Read carefully before signing
• For pre-paid funeral arrangements, ask if the agreement you sign can
be voided, taken back or transferred to other funeral homes
24
Funeral Fraud
If you have a problem concerning funeral matters:
Contact:
Funeral Consumers Alliance: www.funerals.org or call
1-800-765-0107
Funeral Service Consumer Assistance Program:
1-800-662-7666
Funerals: A Consumer Guide: www.ftc.gov or call
1-877-FTC-HELP
25
Homeowner/Reverse Mortgage
Scams
What is a Reverse Mortgage?
• Home loan that lets a homeowner convert the equity in his/her home into
cash
• The loan is repaid when you die, sell your home, or when home is no
longer primary residence
• Many have no income qualifications
• One owner Must be 62 or older
• Cash can supplement income, pay taxes, insurance, home repairs
• Retain title to home
26
Homeowner/Reverse Mortgage Scams
What is a Reverse Mortgage?
• There are three types of reverse mortgages:
• Single-purpose reverse mortgages, offered by some
state and local government agencies and nonprofit
organizations
• Federally-insured reverse mortgages, known as Home
Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) and back by the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD)
• Proprietary reverse mortgages, private loans that are
backed by the companies that develop them
27
Homeowner/Reverse Mortgage Scams
Scam 1: Charged for Information
• Beware of companies who call themselves advisors or estate
planners, and offer nothing more than information
• Say they will help you find a reverse mortgage lender and provide you
with basic information about the loans for a fee
• HUD provides the same facts and services for free
• Do not pay for any type of Reverse Mortgage Information, brochures,
or calculations of what you can qualify for
• Senior home owners who have fallen prey to this scam have lost
thousands of dollars
• Contact HUD for information on reverse mortgages at 1-888-4663487 or go to HUD.gov
28
Homeowner/Reverse Mortgage Scams
Scam 2: Shady Counseling
• Beware of counselors that are partners with other reverse
mortgage lenders or financial service individuals and will try to
push you into their products or services
To Avoid the Shady Counselor:
• Meet with a HUD approved Reverse Mortgage Counselor
• FHA Housing Counseling Agency Listing at 1-800-569-4287 or
HUD.gov
29
Homeowner/Reverse Mortgage Scams
Scam 3: Equity Theft
• Scheme designed to withdraw false and inflated equity from residential
properties
• Scammer purchases the residential property using a "straw buyer"
• The scammer then recruits a senior to "purchase" the property from the straw
buyer by transferring the deed to the senior with no exchange of money.
• After the senior has occupied the property for 60 days, the scammer
arranges for the senior to obtain a reverse mortgage
• With the aid of a fraudulently inflated property appraisal - senior is
encouraged to request a lump sum from the lender
• Often with the help of the settlement attorney, the scammer absconds with all
of the equity money at closing.
• How the Senior Loses:
• Senior gets no equity money at closing
• Senior is and unwitting accomplice to lender fraud
• Senior is put into a home and cannot afford to pay for the maintenance, taxes
and insurance.
• If approached about using a reverse mortgage on a rehab or foreclosure
property and asked to sign a Quit Claim Deed up front - this is a fraud. 30
Homeowner/Reverse Mortgage Scams
Scam 4: Mortgage Repair Scams
• Due to strict FHA Appraisal requirements, a reverse mortgage
may require repairs made to the property before closing
How to Protect Yourself:
• Find out from the appraiser exactly what needs to be repaired
• Get multiple quotes - don't just use contractor recommended by
the Reverse Mortgage company
• Reputable contractors will agree to be paid at closing
• Work needs to be up to HUD guidelines
31
Homeowner/Reverse Mortgage Scams
Reporting Possible Fraud
• Let the counselor, lender, or loan officer know
• File Complaint: FTC, AG, State Banking Regulatory
Agency
32
Investment Schemes
Types of Investment Schemes
• Investments for working capital
• Oil-rich land, film production company, brokers of gemstones,
communication businesses, ownership interests in company
• Investment Questions:
• If the answer to any of these questions is no, vague or complicated = fraud
• Is company registered to sell securities? (Obtain annual report from SEC)
• Is it "too late" if I don't invest my money now? (Pressure tactic)
• Does investment have a track record? (Get track record and background of
people promoting it)
• Where is my money going?(Ask for written proof of where
money is going and investors)
33
Investment Schemes
Investigate
• Get an independent appraisal of the specific asset, business or venture
• Search for published information about the company, particularly proof that
the company has registered the securities it is selling (SEC)
• Check with someone you trust who has heard of the company
• Check with BBB, FTC and AG for any complaints
• Don't let appearances fool you - anyone can incorporate an entity and put a
toll-free number into their home
• Beware of sale pitches that play down risk or portray written risk disclosures
as routine formalities required by the government
• Scam artists lie
• Demand written proof of profit projections from independent sources
• If the investment sounds too good to be true, it usually is
34
Investment Schemes (cont.)
The Seminar Pitch
• Earn up to $100,000 a year
• Multiply your money in 6 months or less
• Insider secrets for making money fast
• You can't afford to pass up this valuable opportunity
• Letter, infomercial
35
Investment Schemes
Be Wary of Promotional Materials or Sales Pitches that Make
these claims
• Earn big money fast, regardless of your lack of
experience or training
• Offered for a short time only
• "Sure thing"
• Reap financial rewards by working part time at home
• You will be coached each step of the way to success
• The program worked for other participants - even the
organizers
36
Investment Schemes
How to Avoid the Seminar Pitch
• Avoid high pressure sales pitches that require you to buy now
• Investigate the business
• Be wary of "success stories" - generally paid shills
• Be cautious of seminar representatives who are reluctant to
answer questions, or who give evasive answers
• Ask how much money you need to qualify for the investment or
sales opportunity - get it in writing - ask about the company's
refund policy
37
Investment Schemes
Resources - Where to check on investments
• PA Securities Commission at www.psc.state.pa.us
- offers a FREE background check of a firm or
individual at
www.psc.state.pa.us/investor/checkinvest.html or
call 1-800-600-0007
•PA Department of Insurance at www.ins.state.pa.us
•U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at
www.sec.gov
38
Telemarketing Fraud
• Scam artists use the telephone to prey on older
people’s vulnerability
• High pressure tactics- you must act NOW or offer will be
no good
• Can’t afford to miss this ‘no risk” offer
• One of the most common schemes -no face to face
interaction- no paper trail
• Once deal has been made, victim’s name is shared with
other scam artists looking for easy targets
39
Telemarketing Fraud
• Scam artists may use any of the following tactics:
• Cold Calls- scam artists get victims' name from
telephone directory , mailing list or "sucker list"
(information about people who've responded to previous
telemarketing scams)
• Direct mail- Letter or postcard saying you've won a
prize and please call this # for more info.
• Can begin with a letter, postcard, TV, newspaper or
magazine ad directing victims to call for more
information
40
Examples of Telemarketing Fraud
• Caller says he or she is with person’s bank or credit card
company and needs to verify account information
• Person has won a “free gift” BUT must pay postage and
handling
• Cross-Border Fraud- Scam artists “guarantee” that person
has won prizes such as vacations, cars or large sums of
cash BUT “winners” must pay “fees” for shipping, taxes,
customs, insurance etc.
• Charity scams-money solicited for fake charities
41
Tips for Avoiding Telemarketing
Fraud
• Place phone number on National Do Not Call Registry
• Never buy from an unfamiliar company
• Ask that offer be put in writing and hang up if request is
refused
• Never agree to have courier pick up check at their home
or wire money to telemarketer
• Never agree to confirm bank account or credit card
information to an unfamiliar company
• Always take time to make a decision
• Do not pay in advance for services
42
Internet Fraud
• “Cyberspace”- newest area being used by con artists
• Effective means of reaching a mass audience
without spending a lot of time, money or effort
Websites, online message, or “spam” e-mails
• used for the purpose of fraudulent solicitations to
prospective victims
• Easy to make messages look real and credible
43
Examples of Internet Fraud
• Internet auction fraud is a misrepresentation of a
product advertised for sale through an Internet auction
site
• Free credit report fraud
• Get rich quick schemes-make money in your spare time
• Work at home scams and business opportunities
• Advertising that promises much more than can be
delivered (Dramatic Weight Loss in 2 weeks)
• Phishing,” con artists attempt to gather personal
information by asking consumers to “update” or
“verify” billing information, such as credit card
information and Social Security numbers
44
How To Avoid Internet Fraud
• Avoid filling out forms in emails or on websites that ask for
personal information
• Only open attachments from known senders
• Do not click on links in unsolicited emails
• Contact business that supposedly sent the email to verify
• Look for the small yellow lock icon that appears in the browser
window
• Do not click on Internet “pop ups”
45
More Tips to Avoid Internet Fraud
• Don’t respond to unsolicited e-mails
• Make certain you have a firewall and up to date anti-virus
software
• Don’t use the same password for all online accounts
• Don’t do online banking or access Internet accounts using
unsecured wireless networks
46
Lottery and Sweepstakes Fraud
• Fraudulent foreign scam artists telephone or send mail to
people in the U.S. telling them they’ve won a sweepstakes or
foreign lottery
• Victim is told he or she must first pay “fees” for shipping,
handling, taxes, customs or other supposed expenses by
wiring money, sending a personal check, providing credit
card information or sending a money order by overnight
delivery or courier
47
Lottery And Sweepstakes Fraud
• Letter informs victim that it’s their lucky day- "You just won the
lottery“
• Cashier’s check to cover taxes and fees is enclosed
• Deposit check and wire money to sender for taxes and fees
• When sender gets payment, victim gets winnings
48
Lottery And Sweepstakes Fraud
• Sweepstakes are the most common form of fraud according to
the FTC
• Seniors lose about $35 million annually in prizes or
sweepstakes
• It is against federal law to play a foreign lottery on the
telephone or through the mail
• Legitimate lotteries do not notify winners by phone, mail or email
• Legitimate lotteries do not charge fess or upfront charges and
do not collect credit card information
49
Lottery and Sweepstakes Fraud
Actual Case
Mrs. M received a phone call informing her she'd won $1.5 million from "American
Gaming Board“
She was instructed to wire four payments of $1,500 to Quebec,
Canada, after which, she'd receive her "prize"
After a few weeks went by and she had not received her "prize"
she became very concerned. At that point, she realized she had
no contact information for "American Gaming Board" . All she
knew was that she'd wired the money using Western Union as
instructed. Mrs. M contacted the BBB and was informed that
"American Gaming Board" was a bogus company for which
many complaints had been received.
Mrs. M contacted SeniorLAW Center. She was advised to file a
police report immediately and report the fraud to the Attorney
General Consumer Protection Unit. She was also told that because
wired the money, it was like sending cash and could not be traced.
SeniorLAW Center informed her that we could assist her in getting
some compensation from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime
and Delinquency (PCCD) Victims Compensation Assistance
Program (VCAP)
50
How to Avoid Lottery and Sweepstakes
Fraud
• Never wire money to a stranger in the U.S. or anywhere else
• If you get what looks like lottery material from a foreign country,
give it to local postmaster
• Don’t pay to collect winnings
• Take control of phone calls you receive by placing your
telephone number on the National Do Not Call Registry
51
Phony Government Scams
• Letters, notices or emails misrepresenting government
agencies such as the Social Security, Medicare, FBI,
Department of Labor and IRS
• Appear legitimate because they contain phony government
seals, symbols and/or names
• Callers, who claim to be associated with the United States
Government, tell you that you have been awarded a
substantial government grant BUT must first pay a
processing fee
• Method to intimidate victim into providing personal
information
52
Examples of Phony Government
Scams
• Stimulus Plan Scam- official-looking email, letter or phony
government website informs person that because he or she
recently lost a job in a particular sector, he or she qualifies for
a grant from the federal economic stimulus plan
• Federal job- official looking email, website or letter explains
that state or federal government jobs are available in your
region
• Grant money to pay for education costs, home repairs, home
business expenses or bills
53
Tips For Avoiding Phony
Government Scams
• Never provide personal financial information or your
Social Security Number
• Verify the legitimacy of requests by contacting agencies
directly through trusted phone numbers
• Never send money to "verify," "guarantee," or "process"
grant requests for up-front fees
54
Grandparent Scam
• Scam artists contact unsuspecting grandparent by phone
• Scam artists may pose as a law enforcement agent
medical personnel or as the "grandchild"
• Tell grandparent that there has been an arrest or injury,
or some other emergency situation (often outside of the
U.S.) and provide specific details
• Most caring grandparents are extremely alarmed and
willing to do what they can to help their grandchildren get
out of trouble
55
Grandparent Scam
• “Grandchild” tells the victim that he or she desperately
needs him to wire money
• “Grandchild” begs victim not to tell his parents or any
family members about it
• "Grandchild" may ask for money to pay for car trouble,
bail money, overdue rent, tuition or other "emergency"
expenses
• Imposter doctor informs grandparent that grandchild
has been in a horrible accident and requests that money
be wired immediately
• Imposter law enforcement agent tells grandparent that
grandchild has been arrested and requests that money
be wired immediately
56
Tips for Avoiding Grandparent
Scam
• Be wary of unsolicited contacts to wire money
• Contact the family member directly or contact immediate
relatives to confirm the story
• Never provide bank or credit card numbers to any caller for
any reason
• Don't fill in the blanks-If caller says "It's your grandson" say
"Which one?" DO NOT PROVIDE A NAME
57
Warning Signs of Risk
•
Are the bills unpaid?
•
Are there impending utility shut-offs?
•
Is the person in danger of eviction or foreclosure?
•
Is the person without necessities such as food or clothing?
•
Does someone else handle the person’s finances? If so, are there
problems evident?
•
Receives, responds to & saves junk mail, sweepstakes, etc.
•
Little understanding of technology assisted crime
•
Bouncing checks
•
Unusual or unnecessary purchases or home repairs
•
Older adult appears confused, unkempt, or afraid
58
Intervention Steps
•
Direct consumer to sever contact with perpetrator
•
Encourage consumer to call 911 and file police report
•
Reassure and encourage consumer to relieve feelings of
embarrassment by pointing out that scammer and cons
are good at criminality
•
Educate consumer about scams
•
Empower the consumer by providing resources and
referrals to authorized agencies
•
Encourage consumer to develop an action plan to
prevent future abuses
59
Resources
•
Police 911
•
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
•
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
(PCCD)
•
Social Security Administration (SSA)
•
The 3 major credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian & TransUnion
•
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Delaware Valley
(CCCSDV)
•
Senior Law Center & CARIE
60
Resource 911 and FTC
•
Police 911
•
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - (202) 326-222
•
National Do Not Call Registry - 1-888-382-1222; TTY: 1866-290-4236
•
About a Company, an Organization, or a Business
Practice - 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1866-653-4261
•
About Identity Theft - 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-4384338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261
•
About Spam & Phishing - Email: spam@uce.gov
61
Resource FTC
Identity Theft Action Plan
Fighting Back Against Identity Theft
 Deter
 Detect
 Defend
62
Resource PCCD
•
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency was
established in 1978 with the mission to improve the criminal
justice system in Pennsylvania. Commission members bring a
broad array of backgrounds and expertise and include judges,
members of the legislature and the Governor’s administration,
representatives of law enforcement and victim service
organizations, as well as private citizens. - www.pccd.state.pa.us
(800) 692-7292 (Toll-free in Pennsylvania)
•
Crime Victim Compensation Program (CVC)
 Your Rights as a Crime Victim
 Service Access
 Victims Compensation Assistance Program (V-CAP)
63
Resource PCCD V-CAP
•
Medical
•
Counseling
•
Loss of Earnings
•
Loss of Support
•
Stolen Benefit Cash
•
Relocation
•
Funeral
•
Crime-Scene Cleanup
64
Resource SSA
•
•
Social Security Administration (SSA)
www.ssa.gov
•
(800) 772-1213
•
Monday - Friday 7a.m. - 7p.m.
•
Representative Payment Program
65
Resource Credit Bureaus
•
Equifax (800) 525-6285
www.alerts.equifax.com
•
Experian (888) 397-3742
www.experian.com
•
TransUnion (800)680-7289
www.transunion.com
66
Resource Credit Bureaus
•
The Fair Credit Reporting Act
Annual Credit Report
www.annualcreditreport.com
(877) 322-8228
67
Resource CCCSDV
•
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Delaware
Valley (CCCSDV)
•
"We create hope by helping people identify and secure the
most important assets in their lives."
•
Counseling, education and debt management
68
Reminders
Deter Detect Defend
• Report to 911, FTC, Credit Bureaus
• Save paperwork in a discrete place and properly shred
• Do not give out SS #, Medicare # and banking
information over the phone
69
Where to Report Fraud
• Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
Phone: 717-787-3391 Website: www.attorneygeneral.gov
• Federal Trade Commission
Phone: 1-877-382-4357 Website: www.ftc.gov
• FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
Phone: 215-418-4000 Website: www.fbi.gov
• U.S. Postal Service
Phone: 1-888-8777644 Website: www.uspsoig.gov
• Pennsylvania Fraud Hotlines:
Elder Abuse Unit: 1-866-623-2137
Consumer Protection: 1-800-441-2555
70
Bottom Line
If you have been a victim of a scam, odds
are you will never see your money again.
Your best protection is to educate yourself
to recognize a scam when you see or hear
one!
Great Education Materials on Scams are found at
www.ftc.org
71
Contact Information
Bonnie Dahl, Esquire
bdahl@seniorlawcenter.org
215-701-3209
Raquel Smith, Legal Advocate, Esquire
rsmith@seniorlawcenter.org
215-701-3217
www.seniorlawcenter.org
Karen L. Chenoweth, MSW
chenoweth@carie.org
267-546-3431
www.carie.org
72
Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE)
100 South Broad Street
1500 Land Title Building
Philadelphia, PA 19110-1088
(215) 545-5728 or (800) 356-3606
SeniorLAW Center
100 South Broad Street
Suite 1810
Philadelphia, PA 19110
PA SeniorLAW HelpLine 1-877 – PA SR LAW (1-877- 727-7529)
P 215-988-1244
F 215-988-1243
73