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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><h1>Tips for the elderly and people with disabilities to protect themselves against scam phone calls<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoSubtitle>Mid-Xichigan Now<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoSubtitle>November 3, 2023<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The <a href="https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/index.aspx" target="_blank" title="https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/index.aspx">Eldercare Locator</a> is a nationwide service connecting older adults and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. <a href="https://dial.acl.gov/" target="_blank" title="https://dial.acl.gov/">DIAL</a> assists people with disabilities with information about essential services such as transportation, housing support, disability rights, and more.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt'>Seniors and their caregivers should remember that no government agency will ever:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>call out of the blue and ask for a Social Security number;<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>ask for payment by gift card, bitcoin or other digital currency or wire transfer; or<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>threaten to suspend anyone’s Social Security number -- this cannot be done.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt'>Nessel and the ACL recommend following these tips to protect your personal and financial information:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>End a call right away if you have any suspicions about the caller.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Never provide your Social Security number, bank account information, or Medicare number to someone who phones, messages, or emails you unsolicited.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Never use a gift card or wire transfer to make payment to someone you do not know.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Never open email attachments or links unless you know the sender.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Join the National Do Not Call Registry.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For more information, review the Department of Attorney General's <a href="https://www.michigan.gov/ag/consumer-protection/consumer-alerts/consumer-alerts/scams/imposter" target="_blank" title="https://www.michigan.gov/ag/consumer-protection/consumer-alerts/consumer-alerts/scams/imposter">Imposter Scams page</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>