How do we protect our seniors from scam artists? (spouses, years, drugs)
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Sometimes these scam contractors "scope" out your belongings while they are working in and around your house. They then come back when you're gone to burglarize you. I have that T-shirt. Right now there's a young man (40s) who has bugged me for three years to paint my barn which is full of tools and antiques. Without proof of insurance, bonding and lots of references, he's not likely to ever get the job.
America has always had highwaymen. However, the percentage rates in the population seem to have greatly increased in recent years and laws and morals mean nothing to these folks. Additionally our leadership has failed. They only seek to be reelected at any cost until such time as they can get their publicly funded retirements. I heard someone complain on TV recently about America going back to the wild west days what with the CCW laws and "Stand Your Ground" laws. I don't conceal carry but I do sleep with a loaded .38 within arm's reach. There seem to be no other solutions but to protect yourself and your own as the situation grows worse.
Sometimes these scam contractors "scope" out your belongings while they are working in and around your house. They then come back when you're gone to burglarize you. I have that T-shirt. Right now there's a young man (40s) who has bugged me for three years to paint my barn which is full of tools and antiques. Without proof of insurance, bonding and lots of references, he's not likely to ever get the job.
America has always had highwaymen. However, the percentage rates in the population seem to have greatly increased in recent years and laws and morals mean nothing to these folks. Additionally our leadership has failed. They only seek to be reelected at any cost until such time as they can get their publicly funded retirements. I heard someone complain on TV recently about America going back to the wild west days what with the CCW laws and "Stand Your Ground" laws. I don't conceal carry but I do sleep with a loaded .38 within arm's reach. There seem to be no other solutions but to protect yourself and your own as the situation grows worse.
Soo---you are advocating that the elderly pack heat?
Ask a lot of questions like who the person is, where are they calling from if it's a phone solicitation. Don't ever give anyone any information about yourself if you did not initiate the call. Don't ever order anything if you did not initiate the call. Put them on "call block" on your phone. If they continue to call using different numbers, tell them you will report them to the FTC.
Close the door in someone's face who knocks on your door trying to sell you something. Better yet, don't open the door to them at all. It is not rude, you didn't invite them in the first place.
I just try to follow the tried and true adages: If it sounds too good to be true, it is so don't do it, there's no such thing as a free lunch so turn down that "no charge to you" offer.
Ask a lot of questions like who the person is, where are they calling from if it's a phone solicitation. Don't ever give anyone any information about yourself if you did not initiate the call. Don't ever order anything if you did not initiate the call. Put them on "call block" on your phone. If they continue to call using different numbers, tell them you will report them to the FTC.
I don't answer any phone numbers attached to unfamiliar area codes or those that do not show the calling number. For those strange area codes that do show, I will not answer them, then search them out on the internet. If they are telemarketers, I add the number to my cell phone's address book as "TELEMARKETER - DO NOT ANSWER." Very seldom am I bothered with these sorts of calls anymore.
I don't answer any phone numbers attached to unfamiliar area codes or those that do not show the calling number. For those strange area codes that do show, I will not answer them, then search them out on the internet. If they are telemarketers, I add the number to my cell phone's address book as "TELEMARKETER - DO NOT ANSWER." Very seldom am I bothered with these sorts of calls anymore.
I never give my cell phone number out to anyone. It's used only for outgoing calls. But I don't use it that often anyway. I also use my landline's caller ID but I have a problem with some callers coming up as "Private Caller" like my sister who lives in another state. Even though she is in the phone book, she comes up this way every time so I pick up. Unfortunately, sometimes "Private Caller" is a telemarketer. One or two other friends' numbers show up in my called ID this way as well that's why I don't add "Private Caller" to my call block.
At one time I had so many numbers in my call blocker it was full and I couldn't add any more. This even though I subscribe to the "Do not call" list. These people found a way to get around it. Most were charities and some were computer repair scams that somehow are able to link into my computer and tell me they could "fix" it. They have heavy Indian accents and tell me their names are "Steve" or "Joe." I finally got rid of them by getting my computer completely updated and got rid of their spyware. Also the last time one of them called I told them I was taking care of the problem and to never call my number again and slammed down the phone.
I felt a little guilty doing the last part. I think our generation has been taught to be polite and not be rude to people but sometimes we just have to forget what our parents told us and let 'em have it!
I renewed my name on the "Do Not Call" list and that helped. But it seems that call-bots can still get through.
I never give my cell phone number out to anyone. It's used only for outgoing calls. But I don't use it that often anyway. I also use my landline's caller ID but I have a problem with some callers coming up as "Private Caller" like my sister who lives in another state. Even though she is in the phone book, she comes up this way every time so I pick up. Unfortunately, sometimes "Private Caller" is a telemarketer. One or two other friends' numbers show up in my called ID this way as well that's why I don't add "Private Caller" to my call block.
In my experience, when someone shows up as "Private Caller" (not talking about telemarketers) it's due to a setting on their end. My girlfriend's husband had their phone service set up this way, but changed it when family and friends complained to them.
In my experience, when someone shows up as "Private Caller" (not talking about telemarketers) it's due to a setting on their end. My girlfriend's husband had their phone service set up this way, but changed it when family and friends complained to them.
I will ask my sister to call her phone service to see what they can do. I don't know if she comes up that way on anyone else's caller ID. The odd thing is occasionally she does come up under her name.
I think what I may do in the future is just let the phone ring and tell her to leave a message. That way I can pick up right after she calls and if I know she has called I can get right back to her.
There used to be an itinerant family that preyed on elders in the St. Louis area. Every year or two they'd stop by and convince an elderly person that they could roof or repair the driveway or fix the furnace. I think they sometimes convinced them of the need for the repair.
At any rate, they did the "work" but it was always unsatisfactory, and of course the family was gone by the time this was understood. I believe they hit in the spring, and probably moved on to another community as the season progressed.
I imagine that this is not that unusual anywhere.
In my area this happens, too. The police arrested the contractor and found he
made a practice of cheating the elderly. However all the money was spent.
If I remember correctly, a bank teller alerted the police when the
old man withdrew a lot of money.
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