BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Geriatrics Fraud Increases as We Age

A woman I recently met told me that she was robbed a few days before, and her mom, who is in her 80's, was in the house taking a nap at that time. She decided then and there she would get a burglar alarm. She said it was the third time she was robbed! My immediate thought was "Why did you wait?" When something like robbery happens, we may think that the probabilities say it won't happen again. Don't take that chance. Take steps to make your home environment more secure by adding outside lighting; putting locks on windows that prevent them from opening all the way; putting wooden poles or locks on sliding glass doors; improving locks on all doors; and/or getting an alarm system and using it. Feeling unsafe in our homes is the last thing we need as we become more vulnerable in older age.

Hello to All. I recently posted an article on another fraud on the rise for older persons, medical identity fraud. Check it out. We don't always think about this one. I know when I get my medicare notices,it doesn't occur to me to be sure that the services are correct because I take it for granted. Just something else we should check to be sure we are not being scammed!

I was thinking of when I had a terrible house fire and had a very negative experience with my insurance company. I realize this is stretching the "fraud" category, but I feel compelled to say this...

Take pictures of what you have in your home, especially things that are precious to you and may be of some value and put them in a safe deposit box or a fireproof container. I had many antiques, paintings, and other items that were destroyed in a storage room in the basement. I couldn't prove anything about them as I had them for years so no receipts. I tried to find pictures inadvertently taken of them at past events in my home just to show what they looked like. So take pictures and keep receipts of valuable items, and put them in a safe place. This will stand you in good stead in case of a robbery or a fire.

Don't think this can't happen to you. No one was more devastated or surprised than I was. I lived in a townhouse and the fire started under the ground from a wire that went from the electrical box outside into the switch box in the house. There was no way to tell that the wire was eroding. Better safe than sorry!!

Be careful of political phone calls that ask for money for your Party. If you are making a contribution, do not give out your bank or credit card information. Ask for an address or find the correct address on line and mail in a check. Now is the time when there are numerous phone scams out there and you will never know if your money went to an illegal "front" or not.

I keep getting these fraudulent emails. They seem to be increasing which makes me think they are successful in baiting people. Just a reminder to say be cautious about what kinds of emails you respond to. Always check with your bank before sending any financial information on line!! Or giving out any type of personal information by phone!!