As people get older they must look out for others trying to make a quick buck.
Iola Community Resource Officer Mike Ford held a seminar Thursday at the Iola Public Library to teach seniors how to be aware of and protect themselves against scams and fraud.
“Most victims are, by definition, elderly,” said Ford, who has been with the Iola Police Department for 17 years.
There are various reasons why those 60 or older are targeted.
Seniors tend to be more polite, lonely or alone and more trusting.
“A handshake used to mean something more in their generation,” Ford said. “Elderly people also control over 70 percent of the wealth in the U.S.”
Scams don’t come solely from strangers. Family members have been known to scam their parents or grandparents out of money.
“We have gotten calls at the police department from nursing homes saying their bills aren’t being paid,” when the nursing home staff know they have savings their families are taking care of, Ford said.
Scammers also resort to threats.
Many times if the elderly refuse to give them money the scammers will “play on their heart strings and say ‘you will be taken out of your home,’ ‘I will never speak to you again’ or even ‘your animals will be taken away,’” Ford said.
OTHERS promise prizes and sweepstakes, investments, charities or home and auto repair.
Some scammers may give a percentage of their collection to charity, but the percentage usually is very little, Ford said. It’s best to ask beforehand.
“Fly-by-night” auto and home repairs have to be questioned as well.
The scammers may begin a project, but leave before the work is finished, taking the down payment with them.
