Spot and
Avoid fraud
hearts, thieves and cybercrooks too often include older Californians among their favorite targets.
If you know what to watch out for, you can learn to avoid the fraudulent online ads, bogus requests for charitable donations, and fake notifications about shipping issues that, an AARP survey shows, have often tricked people.
How confident are you in your ability to spot a scam?
to take advantage of generous
Hoping
The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) is a good place to start. Its Seniors Against Investment Fraud (SAIF) program has empowered older adults to make informed decisions on investments for more than two decades. The SAIF message is shared through presentations at senior centers and other locations where older people gather. To ask about scheduling a SAIF presentation in your area, call 866-275-2677.
DFPI also provides a comprehensive roundup of online resources for older people, ranging from safe banking and securities to annuities and reverse mortgages, and much more.
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The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) is a good place to start. Its Seniors Against Investment Fraud (SAIF) program has empowered older adults to make informed decisions on investments for more than two decades. The SAIF message is shared through presentations at senior centers and other locations where older people gather. To ask about scheduling a SAIF presentation in your area, call 866-275-2677.
DFPI also provides a comprehensive roundup of online resources for older people, ranging from safe banking and securities to annuities and reverse mortgages, and much more.
of generous hearts, thieves and cybercrooks too often include older Californians among their favorite targets.
If you know what to watch out for, you can learn to avoid the fraudulent online ads, bogus requests for charitable donations, and fake notifications about shipping issues that, an AARP survey shows, have often tricked people.
How confident are you in your ability to spot a scam?
California offers many resources to learn about fraud, scams, and more.
• If an anxious young man called asking you to wire money so he won’t have to spend time in custody, would you know if it were really your grandson – or a crook?
• If the IRS called threatening to fine you if you don’t fork over some money right now, would you know it’s a scam – because the IRS never does that?
• How would you know if the email gift offer in your inbox is from a legitimate retailer – or just another bad actor?
Now is the time for older adults to make a plan for protecting themselves and their loved ones.
The Office of the Attorney General has two teams looking out for older Californians. Its Civil Law Unit handles Medi-Cal fraud, and its Criminal Law Unit investigates and prosecutes crimes against older adults in care facilities. Contact the OAG Hotline at 800-722-0432 or use its online fraud and abuse complaint form.
Each county has its own Adult Protective Services agency; find yours.
The California Department of Social Services shares how to report fraud specific to retirement, insurance, disability, auto repair, business, mail, and more.
Stop and think before you interact with people you don’t know. Don’t click on suspicious links or open emails that look fishy. Avoid giving out personal information. And never feel pressured into sending money or gift cards or signing anything without first checking with someone you know and trust.
Knowledge is power, especially for older Californians. With some forethought, you can give yourself the peace of mind that comes with protecting what’s yours.
When fraud does happen, where does one report it?
Now is the time for older adults to make a plan for protecting themselves and their loved ones.
The Office of the Attorney General has two teams looking out for older Californians. Its Civil Law Unit handles Medi-Cal fraud, and its Criminal Law Unit investigates and prosecutes crimes against older adults in care facilities. Contact the OAG Hotline at 800-722-0432 or use its online fraud and abuse complaint form.
Each county has its own Adult Protective Services agency; find yours.
The California Department of Social Services shares how to report fraud specific to retirement, insurance, disability, auto repair, business, mail, and more.
Stop and think before you interact with people you don’t know. Don’t click on suspicious links or open emails that look fishy. Avoid giving out personal information. And never feel pressured into sending money or gift cards or signing anything without first checking with someone you know and trust.
Knowledge is power, especially for older Californians. With some forethought, you can give yourself the peace of mind that comes with protecting what’s yours.
CALIFORNIA OFFERS MANY RESOURCES TO LEARN ABOUT FRAUD, SCAMS, AND OTHER GRINCHINESS.