Signs of Fraud Against Seniors in Reno, NV and Surrounding Areas

A senior home care provider in Reno, NV can help promote organization & protect your loved one’s personal information

Unfortunately, many seniors are targeted by con artists. Some studies show that nearly 25 million Americans are victims of consumer fraud every year.  This is why Comfort Keepers of Reno, NV, suggest you keep your loved one informed about popular frauds and keep them safe from various scams. Senior home care providers recommend you explain to your parent that they should never give their credit card, banking, Social Security, Medicare or other personal information out over the phone or even online.

There are many kinds of frauds out there, and one of the most popular is health insurance fraud. There are several varieties of this scam. When a con artist targets a senior, they will promise them all kinds of services in return for their personal information. With that data, they will be able to charge Medicare and pocket the money.

Senior home care providers don’t suggest buying prescription drugs online.  Many seniors and their families choose to shop on the Internet in order to save some money. At first it can look like a cost-effective option, but those medications can endanger your loved one’s health.  Ensure your parent buys them at the pharmacy, not online.

It is understandable that seniors want to look youthful and take care of themselves. This is why they are prepared to spend a small fortune on beauty products. However, many con artists take advantage of this and sell bogus products that do nothing except empty senior’s wallet.

Unfortunately, some funeral homes target uninformed families. Ask about the cost of funeral services before you contact any funeral homes. If they see you are uninformed about their prices, they can add unnecessary charges to your bill.

Another kind of most common scams is fake investment schemes. This type of scams has been used for years. These frauds can range from pyramid schemes to complex financial products, so it is sometimes difficult to know which ones are legit.

People are fond of easy money. Since many people dream of winning the lottery, scammers take advantage of this fact. They inform targeted seniors that they have won, but they must pay some amount of money to unlock the prize. Of course, the prize isn’t real.

Senior care providers recommend that you immediately call your loved one’s bank or Credit Company and cancel any debit or credit cards linked to the stolen account, as well as reset the personal identification number(s) if your loved senior falls victim to fraud.

Providers or senior home care, even family members, and spouses should be aware of the various fraud schemes targeting the elderly. Being protective of personal information and financial documents is essential to avoiding senior fraud.

Give us a call at (775) 210-5944 to learn more!