| Older people may be victims of frauds like con games | | | | not be trained to do the work, and they may |
| and insurance, home repair, telephone, or internet | | | | overcharge you. You should try to check their |
| scams. Even “trusted” friends or family | | | | references. Always spell out the details of the work |
| members have been known to steal an older | | | | you want done in writing. Never pay for the whole job |
| person’s money or property. The following tips | | | | in advance. |
| may help: | | | | Avoid Identity Theft |
| Don’t be afraid to hang up on telephone | | | | How can someone steal your identity? Using your |
| salespeople. You aren’t being impolite. You are | | | | name, Social Security number, or credit card without |
| taking care of yourself! Remember, you can say no to | | | | your okay is called identity theft and it’s a serious |
| any offer. | | | | crime. Be sure to protect yourself: |
| Don’t give any personal information, including your | | | | Do keep information about your checking account |
| credit card number or bank account, over the phone | | | | private. Put all new and cancelled checks in a safe |
| unless you were the one who made the call. | | | | place, report any stolen checks right away, and |
| Don’t take money from your bank account if a | | | | carefully look at your monthly bank account statement. |
| stranger tells you to. In one common swindle, a thief | | | | Do shred everything that has personal information |
| pretends to be a bank employee and asks you to | | | | about you written on it. |
| take out money to “test” a bank teller. Banks do | | | | Do be very careful when buying things online. |
| not check their employees this way. | | | | Websites without security may not protect your credit |
| Don’t be fooled by deals that seem too good to be | | | | card or bank account information. Look for information |
| true. They are often rip-offs. Beware of deals that ask | | | | saying that a website has a secure server before |
| for a lot of money up front and promise you more | | | | buying anything online. |
| money later. Check with your local Better Business | | | | Do check with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) |
| Bureau to get more information about the record of | | | | to find out how to protect yourself from common |
| any company before doing business with them. | | | | online scams that can trick you into revealing your |
| Do be on guard about hiring people who come | | | | personal or financial information. |
| door-to-door looking for home repair work. They may | | | | |