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Scams Targeting Local Seniors Prompt Warning
By Spectrum Staff
The
Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Northeast California office
has issued an area-wide alert warning of a series of scams targeting
local seniors and urging people to use caution when being approached
for money — even if the request comes from somebody claiming
to be a relative.
Locally, the BBB has received dozens of complaints against fraudulent companies
from consumers who have supposedly been selected to be mystery shoppers or who
are told they have won large sums of money from a lottery.
The latest scam involves fake checks of between $3,000 and $5,000 that are sent
to the prospective victim along with an explanation that the funds are for lottery
winnings, a prize promotion or mystery shopping.
The victim is given a reason to deposit the check promptly and then send back
a portion of the alleged funds for taxes, registration or confirmation. When
the “prize” checks bounce, usually 14 days later, the victim is left
responsible for the funds they withdrew from the bank — usually around
$1,000.
Those targeted by the mystery shopper scam face additional losses for money spent
during their mystery shopper experience. Legitimate companies sometimes hire
mystery shoppers to purchase items and evaluate customer service.
But not all of those targeted are taken in by the ploy.
“I thought this job would be an easy way to earn some extra money. All
I had to do was cash their check and send them 10 percent,” reported Sacramento
resident Isaias Garcia. “I double-checked with the bank and found out it
was fake.”
When seniors do succumb to the temptation of easy money or a seemingly ideal
job to supplement their income, the price can be very high.
“These are the kinds of schemes where the victims allow their wishful thinking
to overcome their common sense,” said BBB President Barry Goggin. “People
need to think these kinds of things through.”
According to the BBB, “red flags” to watch out for are requests to
wire money overseas, requests for personal information, typos in the letters
or checks, and random winnings for lotteries.
The advisory about the lottery and mystery shopper scams follows an earlier warning
this month about criminals posing as grandchildren to get money from unsuspecting
grandparents.
The “grandma scam” is considered the work of Canadian con artists
who pose as the victims’ grandchildren in distress.
Scammers call the grandparents saying: “Hi. This is your favorite (grandson
or granddaughter).” The caller then waits for the grandparent to respond
using the name of an actual grandchild.
The caller then explains that they are traveling in Canada and have been arrested
or involved in an auto accident and need the grandparent to wire money to post
bail or pay for damages. Usually the amount requested is a few thousand dollars.
Many local seniors have reported the scam without falling prey to it, but others
have been victimized. In one instance, a well-meaning grandmother sent $15,000
to scammers, thinking she was helping a grandchild who had been in an auto accident.
“This scam targets loving grandparents, and it is tragic that they have
to be skeptical of calls from people alleging to be part of their family,” said
Goggin.
The BBB is advising seniors to confirm the status of the individual by calling
them directly or verifying the story with other family members before taking
any further action.
The BBB recommends not divulging personal information to anyone who solicits
it over the phone. For reports on businesses and for information about BBB services,
visit the BBB website at www.bbb.org or call (916) 443-6843.
The BBB advises victims to report any incident immediately to local police and
state Attorneys General offices. If there is a request to wire money to Canada,
the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre advises people to call the PhoneBusters hotline
toll free at 1-888-495-8501 or visit www.phonebusters.com.
This page and its contents ©2008
Metropolitan News Company, Inc.
