Fraud - Targeting Seniors

Baby Boomers have been dragged into senior citizenThere's a roll there in the middle that wasn't there
status, whether they like it or not. Their new statusbefore. Enter the scammers to optimize the
makes them prime targets for many new andopportunity for fast weight-loss pills!
recycled types of fraud.Beware of any pill, capsule or potion that is promised
The swift 2009 economic decline has cut in half theto help you lose weight without exercise; or improving
retirement savings accounts of many seniors and nowyour diet, or give you endless energy. If it's "secret",
they are looking for ways to get that money back."breakthrough", "miraculous" or "guaranteed", it's a
They can't wait 10 years for the market to completeripoff! Please don't waste your money on it.
this cycle and they want their money NOW! ThisFinally, one more fraud to watch out for, and not just
makes this group a prime target for work-at-homeseniors are vulnerable to this one, is internet ID theft.
tricksters. According to the United States BetterAny site that asks for your personal information is a
Business Bureau, work-at-home companies ranked 55potential fraud site. Be very careful about any links that
for complaints from consumers in 2008. That numbercome to you in emails. Phishing emails work very hard
is expected to shoot up for 2009 as fraudsters doto look like legitimate emails from sites that you might
their best to take advantage of Baby Boomers andordinarily trust. It's always safest to use your
their current financial discomfort.bookmarked links to go to financial sites rather than
Don't be easy prey for these schemers. If someoneany link in an email.
offers you a job stuffing envelopes, you should notAnother way ID thieves can trick us is by infecting our
have to pay them money for job training. Chances arecomputers with keystroke logging programs. Then
they only want to sell you the instructions for how tothey can log in to our personal account pages and
sell this fraud to others. It's also a pretty good wagerchange the passwords. This fraud has been especially
that you will never see that $500 per month theypopular on sites like Facebook. Watch out for any
promised you; and you will be out that $50 theypopup that prompts you to download an updated
required for their "instructions".version of Adobe Flash. If you want to update your
Another work-at-home fraud involves craft or sewingflash, go to the Adobe site and do it. Clicking that
assembly work projects. The scams require you topopup will likely infect your computer with the
buy equipment such as a sewing machine or a signkeystroke logger and probably try to sell you a fake
printer and, after you buy the equipment, your work isantivirus software too.
submitted for their approval before you can be paid.It's a good idea to make your Facebook page "private"
Shady operators will then never pay you becauseso that only friends and family can see it. Be suspicious
your work is judged below "quality standards".of anyone who asks for money over the internet and
Along with their new senior status, Baby Boomerskeep your computer files safe by scanning regularly
have become vulnerable in their concerns over weightwith an updated antivirus program.
gain. After 40, it's normal to gain some, but, for many,Like it or not, ID thieves and other criminals are
our sedentary lifestyle in front of the TV or computertargeting seniors as a vulnerable group. Be a wise
has caused this middle aged spread to become a realBaby Boomer and keep aware of scams in the news
health threat. We know it without being told. We feel itthat can drain your pocketbook and ruin your peace of
every day when we bend over to put our shoes on.mind.