Avoid financial crimes and scams

Finances

Don't keep large amounts of cash on hand.
Don't take money from your bank account just because someone tells you to.
Never give out personal details such as your bank account number, Social Security number or credit card number to any person over the telephone
Check your bank statement carefully each month. If you have a trusted adult child, consider asking your bank to send a duplicate copy of the statement to that child so that another pair of eyes can check that there is no suspicious activity on your account.
Buy a shredder and shred all unused credit card applications.
Ask your bank to call you if any check over a certain amount is ever presented to that branch for payment.
Beware of family members persuading you to sign deeds or assets over to them.
Keep your checkbook and spare checks in a safe place.

Scams

If someone calls you, (e.g., a telemarketer), don't be afraid to hang up on them.Stay away from deals that sound "too good to be true".
Beware of deals that ask for a lot of money up front and promise sure success.
Do not agree to send money at the request of a telephone solicitor.

CONTACT

Phone: 206-296-4155
TTY Relay: 711

516 Third Avenue, Room W-116
Seattle, WA 98104

Here are some examples of common scams:

The senior is contacted outside their bank or by telephone by a stranger who identifies himself as a member of law enforcement. The stranger asks for the senior's help in catching a dishonest bank employee. The senior is persuaded to go inside the bank to a particular teller window and withdraw a large sum of cash and then meet the "official" outside. Once the senior hands over the cash, the stranger disappears with the money.

The senior is approached either at the door or by telephone with a request to donate to a legitimate sounding charity. Be very wary of such calls. Many so-called charities are bogus and the money is diverted directly into the pockets of the crooks.

The senior is approached at the door by at least two individuals who use a ruse to enter the senior's home. Such ruses are a request to use the telephone or to get a glass of water. Once inside, one of the individuals will keep the senior occupied while the other individual rummages through the senior's personal belongings and steals cash and jewelry.

The Sheriff's Office has recently seen a series of phone scams targeting elderly women. The male caller says he is the woman's grandson, has been involved in a collision (possibly in Canada), and needs money wired to him. Don't get caught in this trap.

The senior receives a call either from Canada or from another part of the USA. The caller explains that the senior has won a substantial prize, but to collect that price, the senior must first send a money order for up to $4,000 by express mail.

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Avoid financial crimes and scams

Finances

Scams

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Finances

Scams

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