Scamming seniors on the rise (from the Better Business Bureau - 8-10)
Fraud targeting senior citizens is a growing concern as millions have fallen victim to scammers. The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) encourages families to keep the lines of communication open with their elders regarding finances and to recognize some common cons targeting senior citizens.
According to a June 2010 survey by Investor Protection Trust, more than 7.3 million senior citizens—roughly 20 percent of Americans aged 65 or older-- have “been taken advantage of financially in terms of an inappropriate investment, unreasonably high fees for financial services, or outright fraud.”
“Having a serious conversation with your elderly parents about how they are managing their money is not easy, but it is extremely important in order to help protect them from unscrupulous crooks,” said Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of the BBB. “It’s important to keep the lines of communication open so that you can identify suspicious spending habits, as well as educate your elder family members on recognizing the red flags of common cons.”
The BBB warns against the following five scams that commonly target senior citizens:
Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams – Typically, the victim receives a letter in the mail stating they have won a lottery or sweepstakes; it might even claim to be from Publisher’s Clearing House or Reader’s Digest. The letter instructs the victim to deposit an enclosed check and then wire a portion back to the company to cover taxes or administration fees. While the funds will initially show up in the bank account, the money will be removed when the bank determines the check is fake. The victim is out whatever funds they wired back to the scammers — often amounting to thousands of dollars.
- BBB Advice: Never wire money to someone you don’t know. You should never have to send money to receive any winnings from a lottery or sweepstakes.
Medicare Scams – Navigating the Medicare system isn’t easy and some scammers will look for any opportunity to take advantage of the confusion. Commonly, a scammer will claim to be with Medicare and ask for personal information such as Medicare, Medicaid, social security, credit card or bank account numbers. The victim might be given any number of excuses to provide this information including that an error needs to be fixed, that he or she is part of a survey or eligible to receive free products or can sign up for a new prescription drug plan.
- BBB Advice: Remind your elderly family members that Medicare will never call to ask for sensitive personal financial information. If you suspect fraud contact your local police or the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General at 800-HHS-TIPS.
Bereavement Scams – Scammers will often try to take advantage of the increased vulnerability of senior citizens who have recently lost a loved one, such as a spouse. In one recent example, a mother and daughter team in Ohio would find targets by scouring the obituaries. They would then call the widow or widower and claim that their spouse had outstanding debts that needed to be paid immediately. Victims would then provide a blank check or credit card.
- BBB Advice: Offer help to elderly family members if they have recently lost a loved one and are inexperienced in managing finances. If you are uncertain about owing a debt when collectors call, ask for written confirmation.
Deceptive Professionals – While many scams targeting senior citizens might not have a face, some scammers will be invited in the front door including technicians, contractors, chimney sweeps, air duct cleaners and other services. Some professionals will lie about the extent of the problem or claim safety issues and then inflate prices for unsuspecting senior customers.
- BBB Advice – Find professionals you can trust by checking out the BBB's Directory of Accredited Businesses. Always research a company with the BBB before you hand over any money and report any deceptive services to your BBB, local law enforcement and the state Attorney General.
Investment and Work at Home Opportunities - Promises of easy money often target older adults because they may be looking to supplement their income. The pitch might come in the form of an investment opportunity that promises big returns, or as a way to make money at home for an upfront cost. Regardless of the specifics, the victim is offered what sounds like a great opportunity but the extra income never materializes.
- BBB Advice: Always research any work at home opportunity with the BBB. Beware of investment or money-making offers that seem too good to be true or use high pressure sales tactics to get you to sign up immediately.
Cities Credit Union joins the MoneyPass® ATM Network!
Great news for Cities Credit Union members! We are pleased to announce that we have joined the
MoneyPass ATM Network . By joining MoneyPass, members now have access to additional surcharge-free ATMs in clean, convenient and safe locations where you work, live, play and travel!
Why MoneyPass?
- access to more than 400 ATMs within a 50-mile radius of the Twin Cities and 850 ATMs in the state of Minnesota
- access to 17,000 ATMs nationwide
- access to 24-hour, drive-up ATMs
- search for convenient ATM locations by zip, county or city/state with the MoneyPass ATM web locator
- free iPhone locator app available
- in 2008, cardholders saved approximately $30 million in waived ATM fees
Cities Credit Union supports homeless animals
Cities Credit Union raised over $300 in cash and merchandise donations for Second Chance Animal Rescue from our Bingo for Buddies event at our annual picnic on Aug. 13. All proceeds from the event were donated to the rescue for homeless animals. Cities takes donations of money and merchanside (unopened dog/cat food, toys, treats, leashes and collars) on behalf of Second Chance.
Cities Credit Union--safe and secure
Recently, local papers have run articles concerning the health of Minnesota Credit Unions and credit unions making high-risk business and mortgage loans. We, at Cities Credit Union, would like to reassure our members that Cities is safe and stable.
• Cities Credit Union did not participate in risky sub-prime mortgage lending.
• Cities Credit Union does not participate in business lending and does not hold risky business loans.
• Cities Credit Union does not hold any sub prime mortgages as investments.
• Cities Credit Union is considered well capitalized by the NCUA “the federal credit union regulators” of the US. We are currently well above 9% capitalized, with 7% being the minimum standard.
• While many credit unions and banks are losing money this year, we have had positive income.
• Our delinquency is below what the NCUA considers the highest ratio for normal delinquency.
• The credit union members’ deposits are insured for $250,000 minimum, and backed by the NCUA which is part of the federal government like the FDIC.
• Unlike many banks, no credit unions have taken any government bailout money.
• Cities Credit Union has continued to lend to its members during this troubling economic time, and has some of the lowest rates that can be found anywhere.
• Cities Credit Union continues to show its support for its members by offering great loan and deposit rates.
