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.

Here are some examples of common scams:

• SCAM ALERT! HE'S NOT YOUR GRANDSON: 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. 
• BOGUS CHARITIES: 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.
• HOME IMPROVEMENT SCAMS: The senior is approached normally by at least two individuals posing as contractors. The unsuspecting victim is persuaded that a roof, driveway or home needs repairs. The strangers pretend to carry out the work, which is in fact, shoddy and almost worthless.
• THEFTS FROM WITHIN THE HOME: 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.
• BANK INVESTIGATOR SCHEME: 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.
• SWEEPSTAKES SCAM: 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.