Aging and Adult Services: Protection
Protection
Protect Yourself From Senior Scams
Did you know that a recent report from TrueLink Financial revealed that older adults lose almost $13 billion dollars a year to financial fraud? Much of this comes from cons, scams and identity theft. San Mateo County wants to help you protect your money from fraudsters! Explore this page to learn more about common scams and resources for victims.
If you suspect someone you love is being abused, financially exploited or neglected, please call San Mateo County’s Aging and Adult Services at 1-800-675-8437 to speak to a trained staff member 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls are confidential.
Safety Highlight: Coronavirus Scams
Three Ways to Avoid COVID-19 Vaccine Scams
The Federal Trade Commission issued a new consumer education blog post on December 8, 2020, with the National Association of Attorneys General, offering tips on how to recognize and avoid vaccine-related scams. According to the post, with COVID-19 vaccines in the pipeline, scammers will not be far behind, and people should recognize the red flags of potential scams.
Common Coronavirus Scams
Technology Scams
One of the most popular scams affecting older adults in San Mateo County involves fraudsters acting as computer techs reaching out to consumers claiming that their devices are infected with viruses – and for a small fee paid immediately, the fraudsters can remove those viruses.
Resources
Stop Telemarketers
Some solicitation calls are more a nuisance than an attempted theft or scam. Here are some ways to stop junk calls. (Note: Many scams are conducted via telephone conversations with older adults. Scammers are trained in using the right language so that they come off as trusting and knowledgeable. These tips help with solicitors calling on behalf of legitimate business entities.)
