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Wednesday is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Wednesday is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and Social Security is reminding that seniors can be the most vulnerable to scams that can financially debilitate them.

 

It is a great time to raise awareness of the importance of preventing the mistreatment of and violence against older people. Jack Myers believes this is also a great time to raise awareness of scams. Social Security, and other government agency, scams are widespread across the United States.

 

 

Scammers use sophisticated tactics and con-artist-type skills to scam people out of money and/or information. Myers says those tactics include using tales of urgent problems to create fear or panic or, at times, making threats. He emphasizes real Social Security or other government officials will never call you and make threats or ask for cash, gift cards, wire transfers, or other forms of immediate payment nor will they ask for secrecy. 

 

 

The scammers target people of all ages. It is not just elders who need to be on the lookout. Myers says the best thing to do if you get one of these calls is to hang up.  If it is an e-mail, delete it and don’t click any links.

 

 

Myers encourages talking to your friends and family members about scams. Additional information can be found at www.ssa.gov/fraud. If you or a loved one are victimized by such a scam, you are not alone, and you should not be too embarrassed to report it. You should report it at https://oig.ssa.gov/scam   

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