New Identity Thefts

There are three new types of identity thefts targeting the senior citizen population:

If you paid your home off long ago, you may become a victim. The latest scam is using seniors’ identities to take out home-equity loans on their property or to sell the home outright. Crooks look for homes that haven’t had any financial activity in awhile. Seniors can check with the county assessor’s office to make sure their home is OK. Never answer home info on the phone, unless you are making the call.

There is a new popular scam to get seniors to give up personal information essential for ripping them off. People call at night telling seniors they have to sign up for the Federal Trade Commission’s “do not call list,” or to continue dealing with annoying telemarketing calls. NO ONE from the FTC is going to call to register you for the “do not call” list. To register on the “do not call list,” call (888) 382-1222.

Identity thieves steal dead spouses’ identities and then open charge cards or even buy cars leaving the deceased’s survivors with the bills. To prevent this from happening, you can call the credit-reporting agencies and put on a credit freeze. It isn’t free unless the survivor is a victim of ID theft, so it may cost about $115 to do the freeze for all three credit-reporting agencies.

Fraud to Medicare

Some senior citizens have received a call telling them that there had been several changes in Medicare that may impact coverage. For $400.00 and a checking account number this caller would be able to assist with understanding the changes to each person's coverage. No Medicare representative, volunteers, or advisor ask for checking account information or money for any notification or Medicare changes. If you are contacted about changes to to your coverage, call the Medicare Medicaid Assistant Program (MMAP). In the Detroit area call 1-800-852-7795, in West Michigan call 1-800-803-7174.

Fraud to Bank Account

Police are looking for a man who impersonated an officer of the law and persuaded an 86-year old woman to give him several thousand dollars from her bank account. The victim called police to report that her purse was stolen while playing bingo. A short time later a man claiming to be a police officer called her saying he found her purse but needed her help with another investigation. He told her to go to the bank and withdraw several thousand dollars to check for counterfeit money. The man, who was not in uniform, picked her up and took off with the money. Later, the victim grew suspicious and called police. A captain in the police force said "officers would never ask someone to withdraw money for an investigation"...this is a scam. To report a scam call your local police department or the statewide Vulnerable Adult Helpline at 1-800-996-6228.

An unusual investment pitch

"Put up $12,500 to secure the capture of a Middle East billionaire with ties to terrorists and collect more than $100,000." An elderly could sent the money to a New York man who has been charged with mail fraud. Prosecutors said it was just one of many investment scams that happen to seniors. An elderly couple sent over $137,500 to the man after he told them that he was involved in a variety of businesses. The money ended up in his bank account. He would send letters and make phone calls to senior citizens informing them of investment opportunities in buying weapons for the rebels in Sudan or capturing terrorists in the Middle East. He would send a note to the senior citizens thanking them for the money and encouraging more contributions. He also told seniors of an opportunity involving the capture of a man linked to Osama bin Laden's al Qaida terrorist network. The man claimed that the investments would entitle the seniors to vast sums of reward money once the man was captured. This is a scam.