BE S.A.F.E.

This digital book is available free of charge as a public service to educate seniors, friends, and family. Pass it On!!! SENIORS AGAINST FRAUD & EXPLOITATION BE S.A.F.E.

Help Stop Senior Fraud & Exploitation! BE S.A.F.E. Education Project

Pass it On!

Introduction

IS THERE A PROBLEM?

What's the Problem?

You Earned It!

You Keep It!

BE S.A.F.E.

Public Service Announcement (PSA)

www.ic3.gov

How Big is the Senior Fraud Problem?

To get the facts, figures, and details on how big senior fraud and exploitation is in the U.S., read this report:

Explore More Data With the FTC Scam & Fraud Facts, Figures, Details

Click Here

Section 1

PREVENTION STARTS WITH EDUCATION Don't Be Scared - Be Prepared

Protect Yourself and Others from Scams, Schemes, and Swindles: BEWARE!

Be S.A.F.E. Exercise Caution Warn Friends & Family Ask for Help Report Suspected Fraud Enjoy Your Life!

HOW SCAMMERS GET YOU

HOME Delivery Service Utility Worker Magazine Sales

PHONE COMPUTER

Pop-ups Emails Browser Extensions

Robo Calls Text Message Direct Call

Scammers at Your Home

WHAT IS A HOME SCAM? Contractor Repair Scam Repair / Burglary Scam Home Inspection Scam Security Company Scam Disaster Relief Scam

Check with your State's Attorney General for state reporting steps Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection: Report it!

BBB.org

Scammers on Computer or Phone

WHAT ARE COMPUTER OR PHONE SCAMS? Phishing Scams Tech Support Popups Emails Robo Calls Text Messages Direct Calls Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection: Report it!

How DO You Know the Government Website is Real? Keeping Seniors Safe

Identifying Whether an Email, Phone Call, Text Message, or Webpage is from Amazon Communications from Amazon.com Watch Amazon's Short Video on their Website AMAZON SCAM ALERT! Amazon Scams at an all Time High!

Hate Robocall Scams?

The FTC Does, Too!

Section 2

PHISHING SCAMS

Phishing Scams

What is a Phishing Scam?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnmneAjVrM4

Scammers on Computer or Phone

PHISHING SCAMS ARE THE MOST COMMON

Fake Relat ives

Secur i ty Sof tware Renewal

F E AR E

Re f unds

Phishing Scams

How to Recognize and Avoid Them

passwords, account numbers, and/or Social Security numbers Scammers send emails or text messages to steal:

Then, they could access your email, bank, or other accounts, or could sell your information to other scammers.

Phishing Scams

How Does a Phishing Scam Work

Phishing emails and text messages

tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment.

Unexpected email or text message

looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company or it’s from an online payment website or app.

Phishing Scams

The message could be from a scammer, who might:

SAY they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t CLAIM there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t SAY you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t

The message could be from a scammer, who might: Phishing Scams

INCLUDE an invoice you don’t recognize

— it’s fake

WANT YOU to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware SAY you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam OFFER a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real

Phishing Scams

REAL EXAMPLE (Screenshot)

Phishing Scams Protect Yourself From Phishing

1. Protect your computer

2. Protect your cell phone

Click Here

3. Protect your accounts by using multi-factor authentication

4. Protect your data by backing it up

Phishing Scams

What To Do if You Suspect a Phishing Attack If you get an email or a text message that asks you to click on a link or open an attachment, answer this question: do I have an account with the company or know the person who contacted me?

If the answer is “No,”

Review the advice on "How to Recognize Phishing." Look for signs of phishing scams. If you see them, report the message, then delete it.

If the answer is “Yes,”

Contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real — not the information in the email. Attachments and links might install harmful malware.

Phishing Scams

What To Do if You Responded to a Phishing Email:

Social Security credit card bank account number If you think a scammer has your information:

www.IdentityTheft.gov go to:

What To Do if You Responded to a Phishing Email: Phishing Scams

Update your computer’s security software. Run a scan and remove identified threats Steps to take based on information you lost: If you think you clicked on a link or opened an email that downloaded harmful software: 1. 2. Report It: www.IdentityTheft.gov

How To Report Phishing Phishing Scams

If you got a phishing email or text message, report it.

Email, forward it to:

Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org

Text message, forward it to SPAM (7726). Report the phishing attempt to the FTC reportfraud.ftc.gov

Scam Prevention for Seniors

Scammers’ Common Tactics

Scammers pretend to be someone you trust They make themselves seem believable by pretending to be connected with a company you know or a government agency. Scammers create a sense of urgency They rush you into making a quick decision before you look into it. Scammers use intimidation and fear They tell you that something terrible is about to happen to get you to send a payment before you have a chance to check out their claims. Scammers use untraceable payment methods They often want payment through wire transfers, reloadable cards, or gift cards that are nearly impossible to reverse or track.

60 Scammers Charged in $300m Scam

Glossary of SCAMS & Legal Terms

Government & Companies DO NOT CALL YOU! Be Tech-Savvy Don’t believe your caller ID Imposters often fake caller ID information so you’ll be more likely to believe them when they claim to be a government agency or a vendor you trust. Email addresses and websites are easy for scammers to fake Stop and think about whether it could be a scam before you click. Scammers hack into social media accounts of people you trust They send you messages that appear to be from them. Don’t open attachments or download files from unexpected or unknown emails; they may have viruses that can harm your computer. Call the person and verify it is from them. Sign-up For Consumer Alerts with FTC

Section 3

SCAM EXAMPLES

Fake Geek Squad Renewal Scam

How to Recognize a Fake Geek Squad Scam

ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Medicare Scams: Beware!!

The story of a retired educator’s Medicare scam experience – and the FTC attorney who helped bring the scammers to justice.

Hijacked Computer: What to Do

MALWARE ATTACK!

Can’t turn your computer on or off? Is it acting up, running slow, opening pages you didn't click, or displaying pop-ups constantly? Your computer may have been hacked or infected with a virus.

Here’s what to do.

Section 4

RESOURCES & REPORT SCAMS!

Help Protect Your Loved Ones Signs to Look For Unusual recent changes in a person’s accounts, including atypical withdrawals, new person(s) added, or sudden use of senior’s ATM or credit card. Person suddenly appears confused, unkempt, and afraid. Utility, rent, mortgage, medical, or other essential bills are unpaid despite adequate income. Caregiver will not allow others access to the senior. Piled up sweepstakes mailings, magazine subscriptions, or “free gifts,” which means they may be on “sucker lists.”

REPORT FRAUD!

Reduce Your Risk of Scams & Fraud

Get Educated Be S.A.F.E.

Learn More About Scams and What to Do Consumer Finance Education:

What To Do if You've Been Scammed

If you've done any of the following things: Gave a Scammer money

Gave a Scammer Your Personal Information Gave Scammer Access to Your Computer or Phone

Go to this FTC Webpage and find out what to do next!

Resources

www.AnnualCreditReport.com Regularly monitor your credit ratings and check on any unusual or incorrect information. www.Onguardonline.gov Get tips on protecting yourself from fraud. This site has interactive games to help you be a smarter consumer on issues related to spyware, lottery scams, etc. www.Donotcall.gov (1-888-382-1222) Register your phone number to stop solicitation calls except from political and charitable organizations.

National Elder Fraud Hotline If you or someone you know is a victim, call: National Elder Fraud Hotline 833–FRAUD–11 (833–372–8311) Professional case managers and resources Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. eastern time. English/Español/Other languages available

"Financial scams and abuses that target older people are happening more and more" Fraud Hotline Steps Step #1: Report Suspected Fraud Reporting can help authorities try to stop those who commit fraud and also help prevent others from becoming victims. Our experts will help you navigate this process. Step #2: No fear in Reporting, Total Understanding Reporting can help authorities try to stop those who commit fraud and also help prevent others from becoming victims. Our experts will help you navigate this process.

Step #3: Personalized Service at No Cost

You will reach a case manager who will help you through the reporting process at the federal, state, and local levels. You will also be connected with other resources on a case-by-case basis

Advocacy Group Resources

NCOA: National Council On Aging

BOA: Bank of America Fraud Protection FAQ

WISER: Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement

ABA: American Bankers Association

AMAC Foundation: Focus on Elder Fraud

AARP: FRAUD WATCH NETWORK

Consumer Affairs: Senior Scam Statistics

Reporting Resources for Phone Scams

“Do Not Call” and “Robocalls” National Do Not Call Registry

Phone Calls related to Consumer Services and Scams FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB)

IRS (Internal Revenue Service)

Phishing and Online Scams

T-Mobile: Help with scams, spam, and fraud ATT: Prevent elder abuse and financial fraud Verizon: Account Security and Fraud Claims Phone Companies

Protect Yourself & Others Pass it on!

Thank You! BE S.A.F.E.

This digital book was produced free of charge as a public service for the use of educating seniors, their friends, and family. RiseUp EQ Press Pass it On!!!