Financial Education Resources

According to a study from the AARP Public Policy Institute, approximately 20% of older Americans fall prey to financial exploitation totaling $3 billion annually or an average of $120,000 per elderly victim. And given that only one out of every 44 financial abuse cases are reported, according to the National Adult Protective Services Association, true losses from elder financial abuse may exceed $35 billion annually.

As a community bank, Centennial Bank is in a unique position to help shield our elderly customers against these prevalent threats through employee training and the use of technology to spot red flags and report suspicious activity to authorities.

In honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we want to provide senior adults and their family members with information to help guard against financial exploitation.

Some of the most common types of scams targeting senior adults are:

• Medicare/Health Insurance Scams

     It is difficult to imagine that someone could prey on those in need of       medical assistance, but unfortunately, Medicare fraud is all too                 common. Criminals are posing as Medicare or medical supply                 representatives to obtain personal information or provide bogus               services and use the information to bill Medicare or assume an               identity to perpetrate fraud.

     The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has further spurred                   medical scams, with criminals purporting to be calling on behalf of a       FEMA program that assists with funeral expenses. While this is a           legitimate program, and you can reach out to FEMA to apply for               these benefits, citizens should be mindful that FEMA will not contact       you until you call or apply for assistance. Also, the government will         not ask you to pay anything in order to receive this benefit.

As a good rule of thumb never share personal or financial information with anyone who contacts you out of the blue.

• Zoom Phishing Emails and Internet Fraud

     Con artists are also capitalizing on the rise in video meetings,                 registering thousands of fake Zoom-related internet domains to send       phony emails, texts, or social media messages to trick consumers           into clicking on bogus links to address “account suspension” or               “meeting” notices. Those that took the bait inadvertently downloaded       malware (malicious software) on their computer, exposing their               personal information to potential use by fraudsters.

     Internet scammers are also known for sending fake text messages         alleging trouble with an internet account, credit card, bank account         or shopping order. Many contain realistic looking logos to lure you           into clicking on a link and divulging personal information.

     To limit your exposure, avoid clicking on links from unsolicited emails       or texts. If you suspect a problem with an account contact the bank         or service provider directly.

• Telemarketing/Phone Scams

     Most senior adults are not comfortable with “hanging up the phone”         or simply saying “no” to unsolicited calls because they have spent           most of their lives practicing proper telephone etiquette, but it also           leaves the door open to criminals posing as company                               representatives. Three notable examples include:

1. 1. The pigeon drop where con artists pretend to share found money in exchange for a “good faith” payment drawn from the contacted person’s bank account.
   2. The fake accident ploy where con artists create a false narrative that a loved one has been injured in an accident and needs money for medical expenses.
   3. Charity scams where con artists solicit funds on behalf of a charity for which they are not affiliated with or is not legit.

Remember, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. If you want to give, go directly to the source. And if you are worried about a friend or family member, verify the information with them directly.

Unfortunately, scams are always changing, making fraud nearly impossible to fully eradicate, but we’ll never stop looking out for your benefit and encourage you to consult the Federal Trade Commission’s “scam alert” page for information about the latest scams targeting consumers at consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts.

At Centennial Bank, our employees are trained on the latest fraud prevention techniques and are available as a resource as well. They can help you spot potential scams and take appropriate measures to protect your account if you suspect you have been a victim of financial fraud. If you need any additional information or suspect fraudulent activity has occurred, please contact your local branch. We are here to help!