GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Watch out for scams as the mercury climbs! Scammers are out in full force. Seniors, especially, should be on the lookout this time of year.
There are several reasons scammers target seniors. “For one, seniors are often more trusting, which makes them more vulnerable to scams,” said financial professional Matt Gulbransen.
There’s also research that shows our brains change as we age, and it becomes more difficult to read social cues and judge risk. Seniors lose nearly $3 billion every year to fraud. And experts say the number may actually be higher because many older people may either not realize they’ve been scammed, or they may not want to admit it.
Gulbransen said summer is a big time for scams because scammers know we’re busy in the summer, and they are hoping we drop our guard.
“Of course, we’re all looking for a bargain, but we need to stay alert for scams. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is,” added Gulbransen.
The four common scams in the summer are: travel scams, job scams, home improvement scams and ticket scams.
If you have been scammed, make sure to report it with the Better Business Bureau.
Also, the Minnesota Board on Aging’s Senior LinkAge Line is another great resource to get information on all types of fraud and scams. Experts will answer your questions weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The toll free number to call is 1 (800) 333-2433.