Protecting Nebraska’s Seniors

Recognize the Signs and Take Action! 

• Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Be direct. Don’t be afraid to hang up the phone or shut the door on unwanted solicitations. Everyone, regardless of age, sex, education level, financial situation or where they live, is a potential victim. Seniors may be targeted more because they are perceived by scam artists to have more free time or may be more trusting.
• Never pay money up front to collect a prize.
• Be aware that wiring money is just like sending cash. Once you send it, it is gone for good.
• Review financial statements regularly.
• Don't carry your social security card, birth certificate or passport in your purse or wallet, except when absolutely necessary.
• Ask a neighbor, family member, friend, banker, or trusted advisor if you have doubts about an offer or business.
• Call law enforcement immediately if you think you have been victimized. Never accept the help of someone who calls you and offers to help recover the losses in a scam “for a small fee.” Odds are it is the same scam artist coming back for more.
• Order a credit report once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus through www.annualcreditreport.com.
• Scammers may also target seniors for identity theft. You can learn more about that here.To help ward off identity theft, be sure to protect your personal information by shredding the following:
  • Receipts,
  • Credit cards and other offers of credit,
  • Credit card statements,
  • Mailing labels from magazines,
  • Copies of credit applications,
  • Insurance forms,
  • Bank checks and statements and expired charge cards, and
  • Any other item that might have account numbers, physicians’ statements, customer numbers or membership numbers.