Financial: Your Financial Safety

Even if you have been defrauded, you might not necessarily be aware that you are a victim. The following tips will give you the tools you need to identify a potential fraud and to take steps to protect yourself. Remember -- if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Did you know?

Con artists often target seniors.

Seniors often live alone, have more disposable income and are generally more trusting than younger people
A senior who is widowed and living alone is the most likely target

Con artists get information about potential victims from many sources.

Some marketing companies collect and sell information about consumers to legitimate companies, as well as con artists
Con artists get information from product registration cards, government statistics, telephone directories and obituaries

Con artists appear trustworthy, friendly and helpful.

For a fraud to be successful a con artist must first gain your trust
They will be friendly, helpful and appear to have your best interests at heart
Consumer fraud can take place over the telephone, in person or by the mail

Many people who lose money to a con artist don’t report it to the police.

Many people who don’t report are embarrassed at having been duped
Some people see the con artist as a friend, and don’t call the police out of loyalty
Often people don’t realize they have been defrauded

Checking a person’s identity by calling the number they provide isn’t enough.

Many con artists work in teams
When you call the number provided, you will be speaking to another con artist
Do your own checking first by using the telephone book
If in doubt say NO

Anybody can be a con artist.

While many con artists are men, women are just as good at scamming seniors

A con artist is unlikely to threaten or use physical violence if you say no

A con artist doesn’t want to be noticed by the police
They know that an easier target is just around the corner

Don’t believe everything you see in writing.

Anyone with a computer can generate official looking documents to convince you a company is legitimate
Ask to see a business license and get references
To give you time to verify information about a charity, have the caller or person send you the information

(Provided with Permission from A Safety Guide for Seniors, Halton Regional Police)

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