Adorabelle Namigadde | The Michigan Catholic

DETROIT — According to the FBI’s website, “People who grew up in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s were generally raised to be polite and trusting.”

This is partly why senior citizens become fraud targets, according to the government agency.

A 2010-11 MetLife study found victims of elder financial abuse lose at least $2.9 billion annually, which is a 12 percent increase from the $2.8 billion estimated in 2008.

Lt. Michael Shaw of the Michigan State Police said scammers target seniors because they are likely to be homeowners and often have money saved up.

“Many seniors who get scammed don’t want to report it,” he said. “They’re scared their families will see them as unable to care for themselves and that they’ll lose their independence.”

According to the AARP Foundation’s 2011 National Fraud Victim Study, victims 55 and older were “significantly less likely to acknowledge that they were defrauded than victims under 55.” The study said they were also significantly less likely to report their victimization than people under 55.

“Victimized seniors don’t really want to talk about it, but unfortunately they are targeted,” said Donna Snell, administrative assistant at the Plymouth Department of Public Works. “People seem to target them more than other people.”

Snell said this past year, many seniors in Plymouth were sent letters recommending water-sewer line insurance.

“It wasn’t necessarily a scam, because thankfully no one bought it. The seniors would call here and ask if we recommended the insurance,” she said. “Eventually we posted a warning in our newsletter saying the solicitations were legal, but that Plymouth Township didn’t recommend the insurance.”

The AARP study identified different types of fraud schemes, such as investment, business opportunity, lottery, prescription drug, identity theft and advance fee loans.

Det. Daniel McCulley of the Livonia Police Department said a major senior scam this summer was lottery-related.

“A guy with a Jamaican area code was calling seniors to tell them they won the lottery. In order to claim their prize though, they had to use Western Union to send him $2,000 first,” he said.

Shaw said the spring season brings the highest concentration of elder scams.

“You’ve got the weather warming up, so people typically try to pull gypsy scams on seniors,” he said. “Two people could show up to (a senior’s) house. While one starts talking with the senior about sealing their driveway, the other goes in and takes money or jewelry.”

McCulley said in another case, someone steals money by finding out a senior’s grandson’s name, then calling the senior and pretending to be in jail in a different state.

“The seniors send money thinking they’re bailing out a grandson, but really they are just being scammed,” he said.

The Office of Services to the Aging recommends always asking salespeople for information in writing. Another tip includes shredding all your bills and other papers that list your credit card number or other personal financial information.

“A legitimate business would never ask you for your account number,” Shaw said. “It’s good to get references about companies before hiring them.”

To prevent salespeople from calling your home, sign up for the “Do Not Call” list by visiting www.donotcall.gov or calling (888) 382-1222.

“Never allow strangers into your home,” McCulley advised. “Once they get in, you could be victimized.”

If you or anyone you know has been the victim of an elder scam, report the incident by calling the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at (877) 765-8388. Or contact the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging at (517) 373-8280 or visit www.michigan.gov/osa.

---

Adorabelle Namigadde is a freelance writer from Canton.