What is a Scam? Know the Red Flags of a Scam Immediate action required Insistence on secrecy Money needed up front Hard-to-track payment methods

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1 What is a Scam? A scam is a trick a con artist plays on an unsuspecting victim to extort money. If the scam succeeds, the victim s money is gone, and the scammer will move on to the next victim.?? A scammer is the ultimate salesperson with a tempting offer or a skilled liar with a plausible story Easily pinpoints a victim s vulnerabilities and appeals to emotions: sympathy, fear, loneliness Quickly gains trust Insist on secrecy Shows no mercy, e.g., doesn t take no for an answer Know the Red Flags of a Scam Immediate action required Insistence on secrecy Money needed up front Hard-to-track payment methods Build Your Scam Defenses Do not be rushed into any financial decision Assume that insistence on secrecy is a ploy to deceive you Be suspicious of any situation that requires you to send money up front Confirm all stories, offers or charities independently Be very cautious about clicking on links Block Those Scammers Register with National Do Not Call Registry at to limit legitimate telemarketing phone calls, making phone scams easier to detect Register with to limit legitimate advertising mail, making mail scams easier to detect Limit personal information on social media and choose the strictest privacy settings on social media accounts Use antivirus software on your computer What to Do If You Are Scammed Don t be embarrassed or afraid Tell someone you trust Report the scam to your bank immediately to limit losses Contact your local police and federal agencies, like the Federal Trade Commission For more information, visit aba.com/seniors

2 Fraud and Scam Resources Organization What is provided Contact information AARP Up-to-date information on recent frauds that exploit seniors Financial caregiver information (888) Better Business Bureau Scam alerts Reporting scams (703) Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Consumer.gov Information and tools for managing finances and preventing financial exploitation Fraud alert information Information on scams and identity theft (855) Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Place a fraud alert to receive free credit report from each agency Annual Credit Report.com Free copy of your credit report from each major credit rating agency once every 12 months Federal Bureau of Investigation Information on protecting yourself against scams Federal Trade Commission Financial Fraud Enforcement task Force Save and Invest Warning signs of identity theft Report identity theft Get scam alerts Register for Do Not Call Tips for protecting credit and debit cards Advice for avoiding and defending against scams and elder fraud What to do if you re a victim of fraud Reporting fraud to authorities Instructions for reporting scams, identity theft, and other fraud USA.gov Information on identifying and protecting yourself against scams and frauds (844)

3 PLANNING WORKSHEETS Planning Worksheet Page 1

4 Personal Information Checklist FULL NAME: FULL NAME: SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: Personal Information Where the information is kept? (attach copies of documents) BIRTH CERTIFICATE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE DEATH CERTIFICATE (FOR DECEASED SPOUSE) DIVORCE PAPERS MILITARY RECORDS DRIVER S LICENSE/ ORGAN DONOR CARD PASSPORT/ CITIZENSHIP PAPERS WILL TRUSTS LIFE INSURANCE Page 2 Planning Worksheet

5 Personal Information Where the information is kept? (attach copies of documents) DISABILITY INSURANCE HEALTH INSURANCE DEATH CERTIFICATE (FOR DECEASED SPOUSE) CONTACT FOR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES LIST OF CHURCH, CLUB AND COMMUNITY GROUP MEMBERSHIP RETIREMENT HOME FUNERAL/ BURIAL INSTRUCTIONS PLAN OF CARE FOR PETS Planning Worksheet Page 3

6 Property Checklist PRIMARY PROPERTY ADDRESS (ATTACH FOR ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES) SECONDARY PROPERTY ADDRESS Property Information Contact information and where documents are kept? (attach copies of documents) MORTGAGE OR RENTAL DOCUMENTS UTILITY BILLS POWER COMPANY GAS COMPANY CABLE/INTERNET WATER SEWER TELEPHONE BILL HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE PERSONAL PROPERTY INSURANCE PROPERTY TAX GARBAGE SERVICES GARBAGE COMPANY GARBAGE DAY IS LANDSCAPING/ POOL SERVICES HOA Page 4 Planning Worksheet

7 Vehicle Checklist Vehicle Information Contact information and where items are kept? (attach copies of documents) AUTOMOBILES AUTO LOAN TITLE FOR AUTOS AUTO INSURANCE OTHER VEHICLES LOAN FOR OTHER VEHICLES TITLE FOR OTHER VEHICLES INSURANCE FOR OTHER VEHICLES PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION MEMBERSHIP Planning Worksheet Page 5

8 Healthcare Checklist PRIMARY CONTACT SECONDARY CONTACT Healthcare Information Contact information PRIMARY PHARMACY SECONDARY PHARMACY PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR ADDITIONAL DOCTOR ADDITIONAL DOCTOR OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL Page 6 Planning Worksheet

9 Healthcare Checklist Healthcare Information Contact information or where documents are kept? (attach copies of documents) LIVING WILL DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTHCARE MEDICARE NUMBER/ IDENTIFICATION CARD MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM HEALTH INSURANCE VA ID# DO NOT RESUSCITATE ORDER ADVANCE DIRECTIVE Planning Worksheet Page 7

10 Healthcare Checklist Medication Dosage and instructions Page 8 Planning Worksheet

11 Financial Checklist PRIMARY CONTACT SECONDARY CONTACT Financial Information Contact information or where documents are kept? (attach copies of documents) BANK ACCOUNTS INVESTMENTS WILL FINANCIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY RENTAL AGREEMENTS BUSINESS CONTRACTS INCOME SOURCES LIST OF ASSETS AND DEBTS FEDERAL AND STATE TAX RETURNS Planning Worksheet Page 9