Financial Safety
To avoid mail theft and check fraud, it is highly recommended to receive your monthly pension or Social Security benefits this way.
What is direct deposit?
If a caller claims to be from this government agency and demands payment over the phone for a "missed jury duty" or "tax error," you should hang up immediately.
What is the IRS (or Social Security Administration)?
Experts advise against hiding your spare house key in these two common spots outside your door, as burglars know exactly where to look.
What are under the doormat and inside a flowerpot?
If you are confronted by a purse snatcher or robber, experts advise that your number one priority is this, rather than fighting to keep your belongings.
What is to comply / not resist?
You are entitled to a free copy of this official document annually to ensure that no one has opened unauthorized credit cards in your name.
What is your credit report?
A good way to track your belongings and ensure you know exactly what is missing in the event of a burglary is to create this.
What is an inventory list of your valuables?
This term refers to scammers sending fraudulent emails or texts that look exactly like your bank or a trusted store, aiming to steal your passwords.
What is phishing?
When someone you don't know (such as a delivery person) comes to your door, this simple device allows you to safely check who is outside before opening it.
What is a peephole?
When walking to your car at night, you should always keep these two items out and in your hand, rather than digging around in a purse.
What are your keys and your cell phone?
You should never share this highly sensitive, 9-digit number with unexpected callers, even if they claim to be your bank.
What is your Social Security Number?
Scammers use this classic rule to rush you into making a poor decision about an investment or offer.
What is acting as if the offer is "too good to be true" or requires you to act "immediately"?
If a caller tells you that you’ve won a sweepstakes or lottery but asks you to pay a "processing fee" or "taxes" upfront, you should do this.
What is hang up? (Remember, you never have to pay money to claim a legitimate prize.)
If a service worker you did not call shows up and asks to enter your home to "check the pipes" or "do a hearing test," you should never do this.
What is let them in without verifying their ID?
If you witness suspicious activity in your neighborhood, you should immediately call this number instead of trying to investigate yourself.
What is 9-1-1?
Legitimate companies and banks will never ask you to buy these specific items to pay off a debt, fee, or penalty.
What are gift cards?
If a financial or business offer sounds too good to be true, it likely is, and the best course of action is to do this.
What is consult a trusted family member, friend, or financial advisor?
This type of fraud involves a caller pretending to be a grandchild in an emergency, asking you to wire money immediately.
What is the "Grandparent Scam"?
When leaving your home for the evening, using timers to turn on these two items gives the impression that someone is inside.
What are lights and a radio or TV?
When describing a suspicious person to law enforcement, you should try to remember these key details.
What is height, weight, hair color, clothing, and distinguishing features (tattoos, limps, etc.)?
If a computer pop-up claims your system is infected and urges you to call a specific phone number for "tech support," you should do this.
What is close the browser and restart the computer? (It is a common scam tactic.)
This term describes deceptive emails designed to look like a legitimate bank or business to trick seniors into revealing passwaords.
What is phishing?
This federal agency runs the website ReportFraud.ftc.gov, where seniors can track and log commercial scams.
What is the Federal Trade Commission?
To keep your home safe and to know who is at your door, you should use a doorbell that senses movement and records activity.
What is Ring camera?
When walking down a street this habit demonstrates situational awareness.
What is scan surroundings?
This technology allows scammers to deliberately falsify the information transmitted to caller ID display to hide their true identity.
What is Spoofing?