You can report senior citizen scams to Adult Protective Services as well as your local police. Should you receive a call from someone posing as an IRS agent, or agent from another government agency, report it to that agency as well.

How can we protect the elderly from scammers?

Don’t panic. Document what’s happened, if possible – keep a log of phone calls, save all emails, and screengrab text messages. Contact bank and credit card providers using the number provided on the back of your card, if applicable – their fraud teams can help.

What can you do if your family is being scammed?

Scams are fraud, which is illegal, so your next step should be to contact law enforcement. Start by contacting your local police department and file a police report. The police will usually assign an officer to the case who will help you fill out the police report.

How do you stop someone from scamming you?

What You Can Do to Avoid a Scam

1. Block unwanted calls and text messages.
2. Don’t give your personal or financial information in response to a request that you didn’t expect.
3. Resist the pressure to act immediately.
4. Know how scammers tell you to pay.
5. Stop and talk to someone you trust.

What to do if someone is scamming you?

Report Most Common Scams The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the main agency that collects scam reports. Report your scam online with the FTC complaint assistant, or by phone at 1-877-382-4357 (9:00 AM – 8:00 PM, ET).

How do I outsmart an online scammer?

How To Outsmart A Romance Scammer?

1. Be cautious about sharing personal information.
2. Check their images.
3. Scan their profile for loopholes.
4. Look out for inconsistencies in their communication.
5. Take things slow.
6. Don’t share financial details/passwords.
7. Talk to someone you trust.
8. Don’t send money.

What information does a scammer need?

Much like a Social Security number, a thief only needs your name and credit card number to go on a spending spree. Many merchants, particularly online, also ask for your credit card expiration date and security code. But not all do, which opens an opportunity for the thief.

How can I get revenge on a scammer?

If you are determined to get revenge on a scammer, there are a few legal revenge tactics.

1. Ignore: The most obvious way is simply to ignore the scammer.
2. Scambaiting: You can try to engage the scammer, emailing them back and pretending to play along with whatever scam they’ve concocted.

What to do if you were scammed out of money?

If you’ve been scammed, consider reporting the fraud to the police to see if they can take any action, as well as to your state consumer protection office. You can also report scams to the FTC. File a report online with the FTC, or by phone at (877) 382-4357.

What do I do if I get conned out of money?

Go to your local police station and file a police report, bringing with you all of the evidence that you have of the crime. Contact your creditors and ask for your accounts to be closed or for account numbers to be changed. Order your credit reports and read them for accuracy. Put a fraud alert on your credit files.