-By Michael Iachetta
If it wasn’t so sad it would be funny.
But $40 million in annual rip-offs affecting over 100,00 New Yorkers is no laughing matter — and Rye is trying to do something about it.
It all hit close to home. I had no sooner finished reading about the “Identity Theft & Scams Prevention” meeting, sent by Rye Recreation’s Jennifer Perri, director of the Seniors Program, when my phone rang with a familiar “Hello, Grampa” scam call asking for money to bail out a grandson allegedly in need of financial help.
And minutes later, another call came in, allegedly from AOL asking to update my computer, only the phone number was a digit off the AOL help line I often use when I need computer aid. And AOL never calls me. I call them.
Suddenly the 45-minute workshop on “Tips to Prevent Scams Targeting Older Adults” with guest speaker Shadina Arnett, Consumer Education Liaison for New York State’s Division of Consumer Protection, seemed like a couldn’t-be-missed event, sponsored by S.A.F.E., (Senior Anti-Fraud Education.) Arnett would be discussing the most recent scams targeting seniors, along with identity theft prevention tips on Jan. 22 at Rye Rec.
More than 40 seniors in attendance had similar experiences, ranging from the most recent (E-Z Pass alleged congestion price discounters) to IRS (Internal Revenue Service) imposters demanding immediate payment of overdue taxes via debit card or wire transfer. At least 20,000 taxpayers have been targeted by these con artists according to the IRS.
In Rye, residents have reported ghoulish ghosting. A recent widow was a victim of international identity thieves who emptied her bank account after obtaining personal information with techniques that included details about the deceased gained from obituaries, funeral homes. death certificates and websites.
And they have reported romance scams — faux Romeos and Juliettes who hit on older adults viewed as easy scores with readily available cash (one 70-ish woman was trying to figure out how a charge for an escort service wound up on her credit card bill).
All these topics came up in Arnett’s consumer protection talk, during which she warned about the “Four P’s” — Pretend, Problem, Pressure, Pay?
Scammers pretend to represent an organization you know or are familiar with. Audience members mentioned fraudulent calls allegedly from the Rye Free Reading Room and JP Morgan Chase on Purchase Street. A JP Morgan banker said they get three to four senior scam complaints a week.
Scammers try to create fear or a sense of urgency, Arnett said, by claiming there’s a problem (“Hello, Grampa”). They pressure you to act immediately. And they try to trick you into paying in a specific way, like gift cards, wire transfers, or other electronic payments.
“Stop and think before you act,” Arnett said. “Beware of the warning signs: emotional manipulation, brain bait, and scams like phishing — a technique used by scammers to trick consumers with fraudulent emails, texts, or calls that appear to come from a reputable source requesting personal data, log-in credentials or credit card or bank account information.
She also mentioned skimming (information stolen from ATMS) and check washing (stealing checks and altering the amounts). One crestfallen Rye senior alerted her bank that four checks had been stolen and requested they not be cashed. Other popular ruses include government impersonators, free medical device scams, and guaranteed sweepstakes winnings in exchange for a contribution.
She also detailed scams that promise everything from debt relief to home repairs because taxes have been paid on time — in return for the name of your bank, account numbers, and routing numbers. Rye residents described attempts to get them to sign in on their computers for info on packages waiting at UPS or free prizes from CVS and Home Depot.
Arnett also spoke of “brain hacks into your heart” where thieves pose as emergency room nurses, doctors, or ministers seeking “:urgent” information regarding loved ones. She reminded listeners that international scammers now use sophisticated technology to manipulate their area codes in caller ID systems. Audience members mentioned answering scam calls because they had numbers that made them look as though they were coming from neighbors.
A lot of what Arnett said came down to common sense.
“If it sounds too good to be true, it’s because it isn’t true,” she said. “Never provide personal or financial information over the phone — and that includes your name, date of birth, Social Security Number, address, and Medicare number. And do not click or open files in unfamiliar emails to avoid downloading unwanted malware. And do not open attachments from strangers or any emails that seem suspicious because those attachments sometimes contain programs that allow scammers to gain access to your computer.”
She closed with a helpful hint. “If you run into scamming trouble in the future, don’t hesitate to call the New York State Consumer Protection Help line at 1-800-697-1220.”
