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Senior Fraud Scams

Being a senior citizen has a surprising share of benefits both big and small. From perks as big as reduced rates from insurance companies and services to smaller ones like senior discounts on coffee. These small perks were made for seniors which usually operate on fixed incomes or retired citizens living off a lifetime of responsible saving and planning. A discount here and there really adds up. It’s a wonderful thing. Unfortunately, like all wonderful things, there are others ready to take advantage of this system. Senior fraud is a growing trend in the United States with seemingly legitimate persons and companies ready to exploit hard earned money from senior citizens.

Have you or someone you love fallen victim to fraud directed at senior citizens? If so, contact an elder abuse lawyer to discuss your potential case today.

Senior Fraud is fraud specifically built around senior citizen lifestyles and interests. They are usually overly simplistic and imitate the logos and names of legitimate companies and use military motifs to appeal to possible veterans. Many of these frauds also promise big money or cheap insurance benefits on the surface with complicated paperwork or incomplete details to coax a senior into signing on.

Below are some of the more common scams that are generally directed towards senior citizens:

• Medical discount cards
• Sweepstakes scams
• Nigeria phone scams
• Charity scams
• Telemarketing fraud
• Jury duty scams
• Knock-off prescription drug scams
• Funeral / Cemetery fraud
• Fraudulent Military Discount programs
• Fraudulent senior insurance programs
• Unending subscription services

Unfortunately, seniors are at the top of many scammer’s lists, often seen as sitting ducks. Many seniors don’t see these scams coming because the finer details are written in overly complicated business and legal jargon. Sometimes a senior citizen will not want to consult this with a younger family member or friend because of pride or fear that it may indeed be a scam. Still, senior citizens have the right to protect themselves over matters like this. Laws on elder abuse varies state to state. Some states may have a statute of limitations on your case so it’s important to act as quickly as possible.

Have you or someone you love have fallen victim to one of the scams listed above? If so, contact an elder abuse attorney in your area today.