Avoiding Elderly Fraud
Contact numbers to report fraudulent activity:
NC Attorney General's Consumer Protection Office: 1-877-5-NO-SCAM
Fraud Fighter Line: 1-800-646-2283
NC Task Force Chair: 919-716-6000
Website of to see recent scams:
The NC Division of Aging and Adult Services Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force
Real example of elderly fraud and tips for avoidance:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124520056162621509.html
Link to article for new elderly fraud legislation:
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/09/16/2009-09-16_us_sen_kirsten_gillibrand.html
The legislation would accomplish the following objectives...
- Charge an additional $50,000 civil fine for each violation that is targeted or is committed against a senior.
- Create a national grant program for states to protect seniors from misleading financial advisors claiming to specialize in seniors
- Direct the FTC to establish a one-stop-shop for consumer education on mail, telemarketing and Internet fraud against seniors.
- Establish a grant program to give states and local organizations the resources they need to initiate local mail, telemarketing and Internet fraud prevention and education programs for seniors;
- Declare a “National Senior Fraud Awareness Week” in May - coordinated with Elder Abuse Awareness Month - to increase public awareness of the enormous impact that mail, telemarketing and Internet fraud have on senior citizens in the U.S.
- Initial workshops to educate seniors on how to recognize risk factors and learn about who can help them if they are exploited.
