[NFBOH-Cleveland] Tips for the elderly and people with disabilities to protect themselves against scam phone calls

[Suzanne Turner]

Tips for the elderly and people with disabilities to protect themselves
against scam phone calls


Mid-Xichigan Now

November 3, 2023

 

LANSING, Mich.- Attorney General Dana Nessel reiterates her warnings about
scam phone calls targeting the elderly and people with disabilities. Reports
have shown an increase in government imposter fraud targeting seniors and
people with disabilities.

 

Fraudster claiming to be from the Administration for Community Living's
(ACL) Eldercare Locator or the Disability Information & Access Line (DIAL)
have reportedly made calls to seniors asking for personal information such
as someone's Social Security number, banking information or Medicare
number-or demanding payment, threatening jail time, or fines. In some cases,
these fraudsters have used harassment techniques, such as repeatedly calling
victims from the same number.

 

The Eldercare Locator <https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/index.aspx>  is a
nationwide service connecting older adults and their caregivers with
trustworthy local support resources. DIAL <https://dial.acl.gov/>  assists
people with disabilities with information about essential services such as
transportation, housing support, disability rights, and more.

 

Seniors and their caregivers should remember that no government agency will
ever:

*	call out of the blue and ask for a Social Security number;
*	ask for payment by gift card, bitcoin or other digital currency or
wire transfer; or
*	threaten to suspend anyone's Social Security number -- this cannot
be done.

 

Nessel and the ACL recommend following these tips to protect your personal
and financial information:

*	End a call right away if you have any suspicions about the caller.
*	Never provide your Social Security number, bank account information,
or Medicare number to someone who phones, messages, or emails you
unsolicited.
*	Never use a gift card or wire transfer to make payment to someone
you do not know.
*	Never open email attachments or links unless you know the sender.
*	Join the National Do Not Call Registry.

 

For more information, review the Department of Attorney General's Imposter
Scams page
<https://www.michigan.gov/ag/consumer-protection/consumer-alerts/consumer-al
erts/scams/imposter> .

 

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