4. Sweepstakes Fake Check Scams
Did you know what the odds of actually winning sweepstakes are? In general, the odds are 1 million to 1; however, they can be even higher. Now, think about it… Do you really believe that email saying you’ve won a $10,000 prize check, especially when you never entered sweepstakes?
Last year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received over 116,000 reports of fraud involving lotteries, prizes, and sweepstakes that resulted in a $166 million loss. The median loss was approximately $1,000. And again, retirees were the most targeted category.
This type of scam displays a congratulation letter with a check for a portion of the prize, saying that you have to deposit the check and wire back a certain amount of money to cover fees in order to get your valuable prize. Well, you’re not lucky… Wake up! You’re being scammed!
2 thoughts on “11 Common Scams Targeting the Elderly”
One very good wasy to get rid of the grandchild call is to ask for his or her middle name. They will immediately hang up.
Another scam is a call telling you your computer has a virus and they can get rid of it for you when indeed they are putting the virus in and charging you big bucks to get rid of it, then later calling you telling you they can’t fix it and is going to return your money. Instead they wind up taking more money.