1 00:00:07,033 --> 00:00:10,066 Nugen Law; focusing on estate planning and elder care 2 00:00:10,066 --> 00:00:13,633 law, emphasizing independence and quality of life. 3 00:00:13,633 --> 00:00:17,033 Serving Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Florida. 4 00:00:17,033 --> 00:00:21,000 More information at NugenLaw.com. 5 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:31,900 good evening. 6 00:00:31,900 --> 00:00:37,400 >> I'm so glad you're with 7 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:38,666 tonight because this is an 8 00:00:38,666 --> 00:00:39,233 extremely interesting topic 9 00:00:39,233 --> 00:00:40,100 that we're going to be dealing 10 00:00:40,100 --> 00:00:44,600 with and we want to prevent you 11 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:45,500 from having any monetary loss. 12 00:00:45,500 --> 00:00:47,033 We're going to be talking about 13 00:00:47,033 --> 00:00:49,800 fraud and scams tonight with 14 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:51,033 Brian Nuge in our elder law 15 00:00:51,033 --> 00:00:52,566 attorney here and we've both 16 00:00:52,566 --> 00:00:55,833 been sharing how many 17 00:00:55,833 --> 00:01:01,400 situations or fraud or scam 18 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:02,933 things that have come up in our 19 00:01:02,933 --> 00:01:03,233 own lives. 20 00:01:03,233 --> 00:01:04,200 So we're going to share some 21 00:01:04,200 --> 00:01:05,333 of the most common ones that 22 00:01:05,333 --> 00:01:08,333 are going on now and Brian has 23 00:01:08,333 --> 00:01:09,000 some suggestions to help you 24 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:09,333 help yourself. 25 00:01:09,333 --> 00:01:10,033 >> How about that? 26 00:01:10,033 --> 00:01:11,033 Hi, Brian. 27 00:01:11,033 --> 00:01:15,266 Hi, Sandy . 28 00:01:15,266 --> 00:01:16,166 >> How are you? 29 00:01:16,166 --> 00:01:16,766 Good to see you. 30 00:01:16,766 --> 00:01:17,266 I love this. 31 00:01:17,266 --> 00:01:18,033 I just love this. 32 00:01:18,033 --> 00:01:18,433 Thank you. 33 00:01:18,433 --> 00:01:20,166 Well, I have to tell you the 34 00:01:20,166 --> 00:01:21,433 last time Brian was here we 35 00:01:21,433 --> 00:01:22,000 started talking about this 36 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:22,866 after the show and just talk to 37 00:01:22,866 --> 00:01:24,133 him like this is pretty 38 00:01:24,133 --> 00:01:26,133 exciting and then and then 39 00:01:26,133 --> 00:01:27,433 since then we both have had 40 00:01:27,433 --> 00:01:28,166 situations where we've 41 00:01:28,166 --> 00:01:32,700 potentially been scammed. 42 00:01:32,700 --> 00:01:34,066 >> That's true and people are 43 00:01:34,066 --> 00:01:35,833 scammed every day and we don't 44 00:01:35,833 --> 00:01:38,333 want to make a derogatory 45 00:01:38,333 --> 00:01:39,600 comment to you because scammers 46 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:44,633 are becoming so good that even 47 00:01:44,633 --> 00:01:46,400 the most trusting person easily 48 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:50,633 falls into those traps. 49 00:01:50,633 --> 00:01:52,033 >> OK, Brian, let's start start 50 00:01:52,033 --> 00:01:55,800 out by just talking about what 51 00:01:55,800 --> 00:01:56,800 elder fraud or elder scam. 52 00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:58,433 >> So when the FBI is 53 00:01:58,433 --> 00:02:02,033 determining an elderly person 54 00:02:02,033 --> 00:02:03,066 that's been scammed, they're 55 00:02:03,066 --> 00:02:03,833 looking at folks that are aged 56 00:02:03,833 --> 00:02:04,200 65 and older. 57 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:06,200 So when we're talking about 58 00:02:06,200 --> 00:02:08,866 elder fraud or elder scams, 59 00:02:08,866 --> 00:02:09,500 that's when someone has spent 60 00:02:09,500 --> 00:02:10,766 money on something has had 61 00:02:10,766 --> 00:02:14,533 money taken from them for a 62 00:02:14,533 --> 00:02:15,400 purpose that they didn't intend 63 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:16,666 or they didn't recognize that 64 00:02:16,666 --> 00:02:20,166 it wasn't for their for their 65 00:02:20,166 --> 00:02:21,333 betterment or for their benefit 66 00:02:21,333 --> 00:02:21,866 somebody taking advantage 67 00:02:21,866 --> 00:02:22,100 of them. 68 00:02:22,100 --> 00:02:27,100 So when we're looking at 69 00:02:27,100 --> 00:02:28,000 elderly elder schol scams, 70 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:31,766 senior scams 65 and above and 71 00:02:31,766 --> 00:02:33,166 they have had money taken from 72 00:02:33,166 --> 00:02:33,933 them, finance is taken from 73 00:02:33,933 --> 00:02:34,933 them and they didn't intend 74 00:02:34,933 --> 00:02:38,700 for it to go as as they did 75 00:02:38,700 --> 00:02:38,966 actually. 76 00:02:38,966 --> 00:02:39,466 >> Right. 77 00:02:39,466 --> 00:02:40,066 Yeah, right. 78 00:02:40,066 --> 00:02:40,700 And unfortunately or 79 00:02:40,700 --> 00:02:42,233 fortunately I don't know I 80 00:02:42,233 --> 00:02:44,733 think we're Americans are a 81 00:02:44,733 --> 00:02:45,766 very trusting society and 82 00:02:45,766 --> 00:02:50,000 especially the older generation 83 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:50,533 . 84 00:02:50,533 --> 00:02:51,766 >> I mean I can remember back 85 00:02:51,766 --> 00:02:53,033 when my parents were just you 86 00:02:53,033 --> 00:02:55,800 believe everybody and anybody 87 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:57,366 came to the door or whatever 88 00:02:57,366 --> 00:02:58,466 and you know, you didn't even 89 00:02:58,466 --> 00:03:02,533 take your car keys inside and 90 00:03:02,533 --> 00:03:03,433 you didn't lock the door. 91 00:03:03,433 --> 00:03:05,433 >> I mean it was interesting 92 00:03:05,433 --> 00:03:09,700 world but unfortune the next 93 00:03:09,700 --> 00:03:10,466 generation is beginning to 94 00:03:10,466 --> 00:03:11,733 realize not not quite so much. 95 00:03:11,733 --> 00:03:15,266 >> So you're hitting a great 96 00:03:15,266 --> 00:03:15,633 point, Sandy . 97 00:03:15,633 --> 00:03:16,400 And that's that the group 98 00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:17,400 that's being scammed, those 99 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:20,666 elderly over sixty five they're 100 00:03:20,666 --> 00:03:21,600 from a generation where you're 101 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:22,000 polite to people. 102 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:22,833 You answer the phone, you 103 00:03:22,833 --> 00:03:24,866 respond to the knock on the 104 00:03:24,866 --> 00:03:27,233 door and maybe you're a little 105 00:03:27,233 --> 00:03:27,766 naive about cell phones. 106 00:03:27,766 --> 00:03:30,033 You might be a little naive 107 00:03:30,033 --> 00:03:33,166 about how computers work or 108 00:03:33,166 --> 00:03:33,700 when something you receive 109 00:03:33,700 --> 00:03:34,833 something in the mail you've 110 00:03:34,833 --> 00:03:38,833 seen it in writing and as a 111 00:03:38,833 --> 00:03:39,733 result you believe it is true 112 00:03:39,733 --> 00:03:41,133 that you really have been made 113 00:03:41,133 --> 00:03:44,166 this off or there's a phone 114 00:03:44,166 --> 00:03:44,800 call from someone and you 115 00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:45,433 misunderstand who they may be 116 00:03:45,433 --> 00:03:46,200 and you're answering questions. 117 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:49,466 So you've got this population 118 00:03:49,466 --> 00:03:50,966 that is aging that's used to 119 00:03:50,966 --> 00:03:55,000 being very polite, answering 120 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:56,766 the phone calls when my when my 121 00:03:56,766 --> 00:03:57,400 grandmother was living I would 122 00:03:57,400 --> 00:03:58,166 say to her don't answer the 123 00:03:58,166 --> 00:03:58,700 phone, grandma. 124 00:03:58,700 --> 00:04:02,500 You know those are not real 125 00:04:02,500 --> 00:04:03,200 phone calls but she couldn't 126 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:03,533 help herself. 127 00:04:03,533 --> 00:04:04,333 >> She just wanted to answer 128 00:04:04,333 --> 00:04:05,100 that phone every time it rang. 129 00:04:05,100 --> 00:04:06,100 That was sporadic. 130 00:04:06,100 --> 00:04:08,600 That's well actually you know, 131 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:13,866 phone is the big issue too. 132 00:04:13,866 --> 00:04:15,133 >> And I do understand I know 133 00:04:15,133 --> 00:04:15,800 the Better Business Bureau has 134 00:04:15,800 --> 00:04:19,533 said if you get a scam or fraud 135 00:04:19,533 --> 00:04:20,800 call if you answer the phone, 136 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:22,066 doggone it, you stay on the 137 00:04:22,066 --> 00:04:26,066 list because to them that means 138 00:04:26,066 --> 00:04:27,200 even if you don't talk to them, 139 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:28,100 if you just pick up the phone 140 00:04:28,100 --> 00:04:29,000 it means somebody lives there. 141 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:32,233 We're going to keep them on our 142 00:04:32,233 --> 00:04:33,133 lists and those calls are good. 143 00:04:33,133 --> 00:04:34,433 >> They will use robocalls. 144 00:04:34,433 --> 00:04:38,800 So if there's a they'll send a 145 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:39,433 robo call out to several 146 00:04:39,433 --> 00:04:41,700 numbers at one time if you pick 147 00:04:41,700 --> 00:04:44,600 up then they've got you they 148 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:45,366 know that that's a valid line 149 00:04:45,366 --> 00:04:45,666 number one. 150 00:04:45,666 --> 00:04:47,633 >> Number two , they're also 151 00:04:47,633 --> 00:04:49,366 recording are you there? 152 00:04:49,366 --> 00:04:50,500 >> Are you there and you're 153 00:04:50,500 --> 00:04:50,766 answering? 154 00:04:50,766 --> 00:04:51,133 Yes, I am. 155 00:04:51,133 --> 00:04:52,666 Who is this and you're giving 156 00:04:52,666 --> 00:04:54,933 your name you're providing that 157 00:04:54,933 --> 00:04:55,833 information and the calling 158 00:04:55,833 --> 00:04:56,400 companies are excellent as 159 00:04:56,400 --> 00:04:56,600 well. 160 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:57,833 When you look if you have a 161 00:04:57,833 --> 00:05:01,166 cell phone or you have a reader 162 00:05:01,166 --> 00:05:02,100 on your landline that indicates 163 00:05:02,100 --> 00:05:02,833 the number that is coming from 164 00:05:02,833 --> 00:05:03,966 it may be coming from your own 165 00:05:03,966 --> 00:05:04,466 area code . 166 00:05:04,466 --> 00:05:07,733 So they're coming from an area 167 00:05:07,733 --> 00:05:08,500 code and you believe it to be 168 00:05:08,500 --> 00:05:08,766 accurate. 169 00:05:08,766 --> 00:05:09,666 >> You think that it is local? 170 00:05:09,666 --> 00:05:10,400 Oh, it's local. 171 00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:13,166 It's OK for me to answer the 172 00:05:13,166 --> 00:05:13,400 phone. 173 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:14,366 It isn't necessarily local. 174 00:05:14,366 --> 00:05:15,033 It isn't necessarily a good 175 00:05:15,033 --> 00:05:15,233 thing. 176 00:05:15,233 --> 00:05:18,666 So phone scams are a very 177 00:05:18,666 --> 00:05:20,166 common way for folks to be 178 00:05:20,166 --> 00:05:20,633 taken advantage of . 179 00:05:20,633 --> 00:05:21,466 >> I like that you mentioned 180 00:05:21,466 --> 00:05:22,833 that it may be our own area 181 00:05:22,833 --> 00:05:23,100 code . 182 00:05:23,100 --> 00:05:26,100 I know I have a caller ID on my 183 00:05:26,100 --> 00:05:26,466 home phone. 184 00:05:26,466 --> 00:05:26,966 Yes. 185 00:05:26,966 --> 00:05:31,966 And then also with Comcast on 186 00:05:31,966 --> 00:05:37,500 TV when the home phone rings up 187 00:05:37,500 --> 00:05:38,866 in the corner of the TV screen 188 00:05:38,866 --> 00:05:42,633 there's the name and the phone 189 00:05:42,633 --> 00:05:44,033 number who's calling and that's 190 00:05:44,033 --> 00:05:44,233 great. 191 00:05:44,233 --> 00:05:45,400 >> You can decide do I want to 192 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:48,700 get up off the couch and go out 193 00:05:48,700 --> 00:05:49,966 but not if you don't recognize 194 00:05:49,966 --> 00:05:50,366 the number. 195 00:05:50,366 --> 00:05:50,866 >> Don't answer. 196 00:05:50,866 --> 00:05:52,000 Send it to voicemail. 197 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:54,266 Screen it. 198 00:05:54,266 --> 00:05:55,533 You have the opportunity to to 199 00:05:55,533 --> 00:05:56,166 give them a call back. 200 00:05:56,166 --> 00:05:57,433 If somebody was supposed to get 201 00:05:57,433 --> 00:05:59,966 a hold of you most likely 202 00:05:59,966 --> 00:06:01,166 they're either not going to 203 00:06:01,166 --> 00:06:01,933 leave a message right or it 204 00:06:01,933 --> 00:06:02,933 will be a message that doesn't 205 00:06:02,933 --> 00:06:03,466 make sense. 206 00:06:03,466 --> 00:06:07,200 It's nonsensical. 207 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:07,700 Right. 208 00:06:07,700 --> 00:06:08,700 And don't return those phone 209 00:06:08,700 --> 00:06:08,900 calls. 210 00:06:08,900 --> 00:06:09,833 You don't need to call them 211 00:06:09,833 --> 00:06:10,100 back. 212 00:06:10,100 --> 00:06:13,366 But what happens is that folks 213 00:06:13,366 --> 00:06:14,600 to as they age they may be 214 00:06:14,600 --> 00:06:14,833 lonely. 215 00:06:14,833 --> 00:06:15,600 >> They're looking for social 216 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:15,900 interaction. 217 00:06:15,900 --> 00:06:19,600 They're happy to talk to you. 218 00:06:19,600 --> 00:06:20,233 That's right. 219 00:06:20,233 --> 00:06:21,233 So when that phone is ringing 220 00:06:21,233 --> 00:06:21,500 it's up. 221 00:06:21,500 --> 00:06:23,533 There may be somebody for me to 222 00:06:23,533 --> 00:06:25,133 talk to and so if they're 223 00:06:25,133 --> 00:06:25,900 isolated and they're not around 224 00:06:25,900 --> 00:06:26,666 others, they're looking 225 00:06:26,666 --> 00:06:30,433 for that social outlet. 226 00:06:30,433 --> 00:06:31,500 So that happens very frequently 227 00:06:31,500 --> 00:06:32,733 as well with seniors the phrase 228 00:06:32,733 --> 00:06:36,466 that they're using is senior 229 00:06:36,466 --> 00:06:37,500 orphans and what that means is 230 00:06:37,500 --> 00:06:38,633 you may not have children, you 231 00:06:38,633 --> 00:06:42,633 may not have family close to 232 00:06:42,633 --> 00:06:42,900 you. 233 00:06:42,900 --> 00:06:44,033 >> You may be alienated from 234 00:06:44,033 --> 00:06:45,533 your family so you're more 235 00:06:45,533 --> 00:06:48,800 isolated and with social 236 00:06:48,800 --> 00:06:49,800 isolation becomes a little bit 237 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:50,333 more vulnerability. 238 00:06:50,333 --> 00:06:55,066 So you have to be very 239 00:06:55,066 --> 00:06:55,966 sensitive to that and we have 240 00:06:55,966 --> 00:06:56,733 to look out for those folks in 241 00:06:56,733 --> 00:06:57,866 our lives that may be those 242 00:06:57,866 --> 00:06:59,866 those senior orphans where they 243 00:06:59,866 --> 00:07:01,200 don't have that immediate 244 00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:01,966 family, maybe their kids are 245 00:07:01,966 --> 00:07:02,733 out of town or their kids are 246 00:07:02,733 --> 00:07:04,000 disconnected or they don't have 247 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:06,266 children so those are the folks 248 00:07:06,266 --> 00:07:07,033 that are really the most 249 00:07:07,033 --> 00:07:07,666 vulnerable within that senior 250 00:07:07,666 --> 00:07:08,133 community right now. 251 00:07:08,133 --> 00:07:11,966 >> How do they know and they 252 00:07:11,966 --> 00:07:13,333 know that you're going to maybe 253 00:07:13,333 --> 00:07:15,100 be in that category of isolated 254 00:07:15,100 --> 00:07:18,600 seniors? 255 00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:20,000 >> Would you call so the phrase 256 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:21,133 that they're using is senior 257 00:07:21,133 --> 00:07:22,400 orphans senior they're 258 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:24,400 independent. 259 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:25,833 I do want to say something 260 00:07:25,833 --> 00:07:26,666 about it's not just seniors 261 00:07:26,666 --> 00:07:30,433 that it happens to now this 262 00:07:30,433 --> 00:07:31,566 population it's FBI said in 263 00:07:31,566 --> 00:07:32,566 twenty twenty three three point 264 00:07:32,566 --> 00:07:36,600 four three point six billion 265 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:37,500 dollars were taken from seniors 266 00:07:37,500 --> 00:07:39,133 in the first three or four or 267 00:07:39,133 --> 00:07:41,633 five months of twenty 268 00:07:41,633 --> 00:07:42,666 twenty four that number had 269 00:07:42,666 --> 00:07:43,433 grown by three hundred million. 270 00:07:43,433 --> 00:07:47,933 >> It grows every year and I 271 00:07:47,933 --> 00:07:49,200 think that the scammers are 272 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:54,200 getting better and better and 273 00:07:54,200 --> 00:07:55,600 frankly we have an aging 274 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:55,900 population. 275 00:07:55,900 --> 00:07:56,866 >> It's the biggest bubble 276 00:07:56,866 --> 00:07:57,900 of our population that's true 277 00:07:57,900 --> 00:07:59,900 65 and above. 278 00:07:59,900 --> 00:08:01,033 It's our biggest population 279 00:08:01,033 --> 00:08:01,400 that's growing. 280 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:02,133 It's a vulnerable population 281 00:08:02,133 --> 00:08:06,900 and I think too that folks as 282 00:08:06,900 --> 00:08:07,900 they're aging if they found 283 00:08:07,900 --> 00:08:08,666 themselves in a situation where 284 00:08:08,666 --> 00:08:09,666 they were taken advantage 285 00:08:09,666 --> 00:08:11,933 of possibly they lost the 286 00:08:11,933 --> 00:08:12,966 money, they were scammed, 287 00:08:12,966 --> 00:08:13,600 they're embarrassed to tell. 288 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:14,833 So even the FBI is saying 289 00:08:14,833 --> 00:08:18,100 despite all that money that we 290 00:08:18,100 --> 00:08:19,233 know was lost, even more was 291 00:08:19,233 --> 00:08:19,433 lost. 292 00:08:19,433 --> 00:08:20,000 And why is that? 293 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:21,366 Because people too are too 294 00:08:21,366 --> 00:08:24,133 embarrassed to admit that took 295 00:08:24,133 --> 00:08:24,400 place. 296 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:25,533 I was taken advantage of . 297 00:08:25,533 --> 00:08:26,033 I lost money. 298 00:08:26,033 --> 00:08:29,766 I was saying to you before we 299 00:08:29,766 --> 00:08:31,033 went on the air tonight this 300 00:08:31,033 --> 00:08:31,800 week, just this week there were 301 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:32,833 four instances that affected me 302 00:08:32,833 --> 00:08:33,133 personally. 303 00:08:33,133 --> 00:08:37,100 >> I got a letter in the mail 304 00:08:37,100 --> 00:08:38,966 from a it appeared to be a 305 00:08:38,966 --> 00:08:42,500 brokerage firm and you would 306 00:08:42,500 --> 00:08:42,866 know them. 307 00:08:42,866 --> 00:08:44,033 It's a name that would be a 308 00:08:44,033 --> 00:08:45,133 very common indicating that I 309 00:08:45,133 --> 00:08:48,166 was so fortunate they had 310 00:08:48,166 --> 00:08:49,033 access to these funds. 311 00:08:49,033 --> 00:08:50,066 Now of course nothing throw it 312 00:08:50,066 --> 00:08:50,333 away. 313 00:08:50,333 --> 00:09:07,366 I was everybody's getting 314 00:09:07,366 --> 00:09:11,133 a text message right now about 315 00:09:11,133 --> 00:09:11,900 having passed new tolls on the 316 00:09:11,900 --> 00:09:12,166 toll road. 317 00:09:12,166 --> 00:09:13,066 I received a text message just 318 00:09:13,066 --> 00:09:13,966 this week even in my own family 319 00:09:13,966 --> 00:09:14,600 speaking with a family member 320 00:09:14,600 --> 00:09:15,300 just tonight that they had a 321 00:09:15,300 --> 00:09:15,933 phone number appear on their 322 00:09:15,933 --> 00:09:16,566 computer screen and rather on 323 00:09:16,566 --> 00:09:16,966 their TV screen. 324 00:09:16,966 --> 00:09:17,500 They were having trouble 325 00:09:17,500 --> 00:09:18,166 getting into their TV and they 326 00:09:18,166 --> 00:09:18,800 called the phone number and the 327 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:19,400 individual said to them you 328 00:09:19,400 --> 00:09:20,300 need to go to Kvass or Home 329 00:09:20,300 --> 00:09:22,800 Depot and you need to make this 330 00:09:22,800 --> 00:09:23,300 charge. 331 00:09:23,300 --> 00:09:24,566 >> You need to send these 332 00:09:24,566 --> 00:09:24,766 funds. 333 00:09:24,766 --> 00:09:26,700 So in the family member 334 00:09:26,700 --> 00:09:29,933 attempted doing that twice and 335 00:09:29,933 --> 00:09:30,833 then at some point during that 336 00:09:30,833 --> 00:09:31,866 process realized maybe I 337 00:09:31,866 --> 00:09:35,366 shouldn't be doing this. 338 00:09:35,366 --> 00:09:36,633 >> So it probably would not 339 00:09:36,633 --> 00:09:37,633 advise you would not be happy 340 00:09:37,633 --> 00:09:40,900 with that and the family member 341 00:09:40,900 --> 00:09:42,300 indicated to me you've told me 342 00:09:42,300 --> 00:09:43,166 before don't do this. 343 00:09:43,166 --> 00:09:47,933 So this had happened a week and 344 00:09:47,933 --> 00:09:48,333 a half ago. 345 00:09:48,333 --> 00:09:49,333 I learned about it today. 346 00:09:49,333 --> 00:09:50,466 But that goes to the point 347 00:09:50,466 --> 00:09:52,000 of people being embarrassed to 348 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:54,133 say this happened and one would 349 00:09:54,133 --> 00:09:54,833 never expect with somebody that 350 00:09:54,833 --> 00:09:56,533 close to you that it would 351 00:09:56,533 --> 00:09:59,533 happen but it does. 352 00:09:59,533 --> 00:10:00,666 >> Senior scams are an ongoing 353 00:10:00,666 --> 00:10:00,866 issue. 354 00:10:00,866 --> 00:10:05,033 Brian, I'm interested in any 355 00:10:05,033 --> 00:10:06,300 recourse or if you can get 356 00:10:06,300 --> 00:10:07,566 money back that you've been 357 00:10:07,566 --> 00:10:11,366 scammed for let's say your 358 00:10:11,366 --> 00:10:12,366 family member did unlike Jeff 359 00:10:12,366 --> 00:10:13,000 that charge through with the 360 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:14,766 one good thing I guess if 361 00:10:14,766 --> 00:10:17,300 you're using so this is the 362 00:10:17,300 --> 00:10:17,833 same conversation I had. 363 00:10:17,833 --> 00:10:18,700 >> If you're using a credit 364 00:10:18,700 --> 00:10:19,966 card at least you can reach out 365 00:10:19,966 --> 00:10:23,466 to the credit card company and 366 00:10:23,466 --> 00:10:24,366 indicate if you're aware that 367 00:10:24,366 --> 00:10:25,366 this isn't a real charge, 368 00:10:25,366 --> 00:10:28,633 please block that charge if 369 00:10:28,633 --> 00:10:29,766 you're using a debit card, if 370 00:10:29,766 --> 00:10:30,533 you're using a money order and 371 00:10:30,533 --> 00:10:31,433 sending money off, if you're 372 00:10:31,433 --> 00:10:34,433 using a cashier's check and 373 00:10:34,433 --> 00:10:35,700 sending that off that you don't 374 00:10:35,700 --> 00:10:36,300 have a recourse for that. 375 00:10:36,300 --> 00:10:36,533 Really? 376 00:10:36,533 --> 00:10:37,633 Yeah, the money's gone. 377 00:10:37,633 --> 00:10:40,633 It's cash. 378 00:10:40,633 --> 00:10:42,000 >> So you just mailed it off. 379 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:42,733 You've given it to them. 380 00:10:42,733 --> 00:10:45,000 It is common in elder law 381 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:47,266 practices that folks are taking 382 00:10:47,266 --> 00:10:48,433 advantage of not just by small 383 00:10:48,433 --> 00:10:49,666 amounts but by very large 384 00:10:49,666 --> 00:10:52,700 amounts oftentimes they're 385 00:10:52,700 --> 00:10:53,700 called romance romance romance. 386 00:10:53,700 --> 00:10:54,100 >> Right. 387 00:10:54,100 --> 00:10:55,333 Somebody is showing the 388 00:10:55,333 --> 00:10:58,600 affection and it usually starts 389 00:10:58,600 --> 00:10:59,133 out small. 390 00:10:59,133 --> 00:11:00,600 It will be they're just having 391 00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:02,333 a conversation maybe over the 392 00:11:02,333 --> 00:11:05,600 texting or a phone call and 393 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:06,500 then eventually it's could I 394 00:11:06,500 --> 00:11:07,400 need ten dollars or 395 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:07,966 twenty dollars for groceries 396 00:11:07,966 --> 00:11:10,900 for my children or my 397 00:11:10,900 --> 00:11:11,233 grandchildren? 398 00:11:11,233 --> 00:11:12,233 So then they feel responsible 399 00:11:12,233 --> 00:11:13,333 in a foreign country it's often 400 00:11:13,333 --> 00:11:16,333 a foreign country not always 401 00:11:16,333 --> 00:11:17,833 but yes, it's often a foreign 402 00:11:17,833 --> 00:11:18,066 country. 403 00:11:18,066 --> 00:11:19,233 And then those requests 404 00:11:19,233 --> 00:11:22,500 for money as you've developed 405 00:11:22,500 --> 00:11:23,400 relationship with that person 406 00:11:23,400 --> 00:11:23,966 you've developed trust with 407 00:11:23,966 --> 00:11:24,666 that person was just a small 408 00:11:24,666 --> 00:11:26,433 amount I was helping with over 409 00:11:26,433 --> 00:11:27,933 time it rose. 410 00:11:27,933 --> 00:11:29,833 And so if there is a reason to 411 00:11:29,833 --> 00:11:34,833 try and protect those seniors, 412 00:11:34,833 --> 00:11:35,733 if they're being taken 413 00:11:35,733 --> 00:11:36,300 advantage of on an ongoing 414 00:11:36,300 --> 00:11:36,900 basis through sometimes 415 00:11:36,900 --> 00:11:37,666 guardianships that are 416 00:11:37,666 --> 00:11:40,166 established to protect them and 417 00:11:40,166 --> 00:11:40,766 frankly against themselves 418 00:11:40,766 --> 00:11:41,400 because they're so willing to 419 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:43,100 allow those funds to go and 420 00:11:43,100 --> 00:11:45,866 they're losing their 421 00:11:45,866 --> 00:11:46,633 retirement, they're taking 422 00:11:46,633 --> 00:11:47,300 mortgages out there borrowing 423 00:11:47,300 --> 00:11:47,933 money from family and friends 424 00:11:47,933 --> 00:11:48,933 to make these payments. 425 00:11:48,933 --> 00:11:52,666 It's very sad that it's very 426 00:11:52,666 --> 00:11:53,433 sad and I've seen a number 427 00:11:53,433 --> 00:11:55,200 of shows on talk shows on TV 428 00:11:55,200 --> 00:11:58,700 that are the romance scams, you 429 00:11:58,700 --> 00:11:59,966 know, nitens there have been 430 00:11:59,966 --> 00:12:03,566 some men of course, but usually 431 00:12:03,566 --> 00:12:04,566 it's elderly women. 432 00:12:04,566 --> 00:12:06,100 >> I've got to tell you in my 433 00:12:06,100 --> 00:12:07,100 state they're really hoping 434 00:12:07,100 --> 00:12:10,100 there's something they're out 435 00:12:10,100 --> 00:12:11,133 there in my practice I have 436 00:12:11,133 --> 00:12:12,033 seen it both in men and women. 437 00:12:12,033 --> 00:12:14,400 I can't say that I've seen it 438 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:16,400 isolated to women. 439 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:17,566 Perhaps the show that you were 440 00:12:17,566 --> 00:12:18,233 watching it would indicate that 441 00:12:18,233 --> 00:12:18,700 it's primarily women. 442 00:12:18,700 --> 00:12:22,366 It could be I don't know that I 443 00:12:22,366 --> 00:12:23,500 will say in my own experience I 444 00:12:23,500 --> 00:12:25,133 have seen it both in men and in 445 00:12:25,133 --> 00:12:28,400 women and these are large 446 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:29,300 dollar amounts that are being 447 00:12:29,300 --> 00:12:30,566 taken people that have lost 448 00:12:30,566 --> 00:12:35,066 their entire retirement, 449 00:12:35,066 --> 00:12:35,600 everything, everything. 450 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:37,233 >> It's very I mean hundreds 451 00:12:37,233 --> 00:12:38,000 of thousands of dollars and 452 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:40,500 because they're there 453 00:12:40,500 --> 00:12:41,500 embarrassed they're not 454 00:12:41,500 --> 00:12:42,133 necessarily sharing with their 455 00:12:42,133 --> 00:12:42,766 children and they've done it 456 00:12:42,766 --> 00:12:43,033 once. 457 00:12:43,033 --> 00:12:45,800 They've done it twice now 458 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:47,066 they're committed and now it's 459 00:12:47,066 --> 00:12:48,600 almost as if you feel like it 460 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:53,100 has to be true, it has to be 461 00:12:53,100 --> 00:12:53,866 true and they don't want to 462 00:12:53,866 --> 00:12:54,633 share with the kids when the 463 00:12:54,633 --> 00:12:55,900 kids find out they're shocked 464 00:12:55,900 --> 00:12:58,400 that it happened. 465 00:12:58,400 --> 00:12:59,433 But don't be naive that it 466 00:12:59,433 --> 00:13:00,166 couldn't happen to the children 467 00:13:00,166 --> 00:13:00,633 as well. 468 00:13:00,633 --> 00:13:04,166 Younger people are scammed. 469 00:13:04,166 --> 00:13:05,766 It's not just folks 65 and over 470 00:13:05,766 --> 00:13:06,166 but on LIFE Ahead. 471 00:13:06,166 --> 00:13:08,333 We'd like to talk about folks 472 00:13:08,333 --> 00:13:11,066 that maybe a little bit more 473 00:13:11,066 --> 00:13:11,833 mature and how it could affect 474 00:13:11,833 --> 00:13:12,033 them. 475 00:13:12,033 --> 00:13:12,600 >> Yeah, sure. 476 00:13:12,600 --> 00:13:13,100 For sure. 477 00:13:13,100 --> 00:13:15,833 OK, so then the other than the 478 00:13:15,833 --> 00:13:16,600 examples you mentioned, there's 479 00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:17,366 no way to get money back. 480 00:13:17,366 --> 00:13:19,266 I mean the people whether it's 481 00:13:19,266 --> 00:13:22,266 a romance scam or if the money 482 00:13:22,266 --> 00:13:23,166 is now you you could contact 483 00:13:23,166 --> 00:13:24,200 Adult Protective Services and 484 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:26,700 perhaps Adult Protective 485 00:13:26,700 --> 00:13:28,100 Services would be able to 486 00:13:28,100 --> 00:13:28,733 pursue the individual if you 487 00:13:28,733 --> 00:13:29,233 could identify them. 488 00:13:29,233 --> 00:13:33,000 Criminal charges could be filed 489 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:34,166 but generally to collect that 490 00:13:34,166 --> 00:13:34,866 money back is not happening. 491 00:13:34,866 --> 00:13:35,433 >> Yeah, that's pretty 492 00:13:35,433 --> 00:13:35,700 standard. 493 00:13:35,700 --> 00:13:39,600 It is said, you know, Brian, 494 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:40,466 you mentioned you had several 495 00:13:40,466 --> 00:13:41,233 examples and I brought 496 00:13:41,233 --> 00:13:43,000 something that I've just gotten 497 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:46,300 as one of these postcards was 498 00:13:46,300 --> 00:13:47,433 last week and then I just got 499 00:13:47,433 --> 00:13:51,433 this one in the mail today and 500 00:13:51,433 --> 00:13:52,700 it's from the same company 501 00:13:52,700 --> 00:13:53,966 but it's all were there 502 00:13:53,966 --> 00:13:57,733 differently and it basically 503 00:13:57,733 --> 00:13:59,233 says is that I've won five 504 00:13:59,233 --> 00:14:03,566 hundred dollars or five hundred 505 00:14:03,566 --> 00:14:04,966 dollars that I can use at 506 00:14:04,966 --> 00:14:08,966 Amazon or Walmart or whatever I 507 00:14:08,966 --> 00:14:10,133 need to call this number to to 508 00:14:10,133 --> 00:14:10,733 claim my prize. 509 00:14:10,733 --> 00:14:15,733 Now I'm not going obviously 510 00:14:15,733 --> 00:14:16,900 but what would happen if I do 511 00:14:16,900 --> 00:14:17,100 what? 512 00:14:17,100 --> 00:14:18,066 >> Well congratulations. 513 00:14:18,066 --> 00:14:22,266 You've great good for you. 514 00:14:22,266 --> 00:14:23,033 You got this. 515 00:14:23,033 --> 00:14:24,033 We can't wait to get that out 516 00:14:24,033 --> 00:14:24,300 to you. 517 00:14:24,300 --> 00:14:25,300 So let's arrange now so we can 518 00:14:25,300 --> 00:14:25,966 make a deposit into your 519 00:14:25,966 --> 00:14:26,200 account. 520 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:26,600 Yeah. 521 00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:28,366 So we need just a little bit 522 00:14:28,366 --> 00:14:29,033 of information from you so that 523 00:14:29,033 --> 00:14:29,766 we can make sure to forward 524 00:14:29,766 --> 00:14:30,900 this five hundred dollars to 525 00:14:30,900 --> 00:14:33,666 you what's your name. 526 00:14:33,666 --> 00:14:34,533 >> Full name. 527 00:14:34,533 --> 00:14:35,666 Great where do you bank and 528 00:14:35,666 --> 00:14:36,666 what's your account number. 529 00:14:36,666 --> 00:14:39,666 Fantastic. 530 00:14:39,666 --> 00:14:41,000 >> And your date of mother's 531 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:41,333 maiden name. 532 00:14:41,333 --> 00:14:42,233 Your mother's maiden name date 533 00:14:42,233 --> 00:14:43,500 of birth if they can get your 534 00:14:43,500 --> 00:14:45,266 Social Security they're getting 535 00:14:45,266 --> 00:14:46,500 they're wanting all of that 536 00:14:46,500 --> 00:14:47,666 information from you name date 537 00:14:47,666 --> 00:14:48,933 of birth, Social Security 538 00:14:48,933 --> 00:14:51,566 number, your address there. 539 00:14:51,566 --> 00:14:52,200 They're wanting that 540 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:52,833 information so that they can 541 00:14:52,833 --> 00:14:53,866 take advantage of your credit 542 00:14:53,866 --> 00:14:56,600 and take further advantage 543 00:14:56,600 --> 00:14:57,900 of you and what they're doing 544 00:14:57,900 --> 00:14:58,566 animation to drain my account. 545 00:14:58,566 --> 00:14:59,666 >> That's exactly right. 546 00:14:59,666 --> 00:15:03,733 That's exactly what here you 547 00:15:03,733 --> 00:15:04,133 can handle. 548 00:15:04,133 --> 00:15:05,733 I'm not thanks to Sandy I just 549 00:15:05,733 --> 00:15:09,266 gave you five dollars million 550 00:15:09,266 --> 00:15:10,000 on my phone. 551 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:15,266 >> I have gotten two things one 552 00:15:15,266 --> 00:15:16,033 today, one yesterday. 553 00:15:16,033 --> 00:15:17,066 >> It's amazing like how since 554 00:15:17,066 --> 00:15:18,833 we talked about it last month 555 00:15:18,833 --> 00:15:21,833 it's like wow I'm just so used 556 00:15:21,833 --> 00:15:23,100 to not answering the phone or 557 00:15:23,100 --> 00:15:26,866 throwing those things that junk 558 00:15:26,866 --> 00:15:28,633 mail away but I got a text 559 00:15:28,633 --> 00:15:33,766 today that said that there's a 560 00:15:33,766 --> 00:15:34,066 headhunter. 561 00:15:34,066 --> 00:15:34,800 Oh yes headhunter. 562 00:15:34,800 --> 00:15:37,800 You've probably gotten those 563 00:15:37,800 --> 00:15:39,166 well yeah I get them about once 564 00:15:39,166 --> 00:15:40,933 a month and says the lady's 565 00:15:40,933 --> 00:15:45,433 name whatever and according to 566 00:15:45,433 --> 00:15:46,033 the recommendations and 567 00:15:46,033 --> 00:15:47,233 whatever you know we know 568 00:15:47,233 --> 00:15:51,733 you're a valued employee so we 569 00:15:51,733 --> 00:15:52,366 want to offer you the 570 00:15:52,366 --> 00:15:53,033 opportunity to work from home. 571 00:15:53,033 --> 00:15:53,800 >> Sure. 572 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:57,300 Work from home. 573 00:15:57,300 --> 00:15:58,033 >> Oh yes. 574 00:15:58,033 --> 00:15:59,800 And let's see I could make 575 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:01,133 between two hundred and 576 00:16:01,133 --> 00:16:03,633 two thousand a day fantastic. 577 00:16:03,633 --> 00:16:04,633 >> How about that? 578 00:16:04,633 --> 00:16:06,300 So at the end of the day it's 579 00:16:06,300 --> 00:16:09,300 the smell test. 580 00:16:09,300 --> 00:16:10,966 Does it smell does this is this 581 00:16:10,966 --> 00:16:14,466 appropriate stop take a beat. 582 00:16:14,466 --> 00:16:15,600 >> Think about what's being 583 00:16:15,600 --> 00:16:16,033 presented to you. 584 00:16:16,033 --> 00:16:16,700 Does that sound realistic? 585 00:16:16,700 --> 00:16:18,400 Does it sound realistic that 586 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:20,900 somebody in this instance is 587 00:16:20,900 --> 00:16:21,800 going to be paying you 588 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:22,433 two thousand dollars a day to 589 00:16:22,433 --> 00:16:23,433 work from home if it's too good 590 00:16:23,433 --> 00:16:26,700 to be true, it's too good to be 591 00:16:26,700 --> 00:16:27,733 true kind of in that same vein 592 00:16:27,733 --> 00:16:28,600 there are lottery scams where 593 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:30,366 folks are indicated or they 594 00:16:30,366 --> 00:16:33,133 receive something in the mail 595 00:16:33,133 --> 00:16:33,900 or there's a phone call. 596 00:16:33,900 --> 00:16:34,800 They have won the lottery and 597 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:36,166 they are going to be getting 598 00:16:36,166 --> 00:16:38,433 five thousand dollars ten 599 00:16:38,433 --> 00:16:38,966 thousand dollars. 600 00:16:38,966 --> 00:16:39,966 But first before we can send 601 00:16:39,966 --> 00:16:40,833 the money to you, we need to 602 00:16:40,833 --> 00:16:43,233 have you pay the tax on that so 603 00:16:43,233 --> 00:16:45,233 there's going to be tax that's 604 00:16:45,233 --> 00:16:45,933 due on that lottery winning. 605 00:16:45,933 --> 00:16:47,266 >> So if you would please let 606 00:16:47,266 --> 00:16:49,800 us know your information and 607 00:16:49,800 --> 00:16:51,433 let us know your account number 608 00:16:51,433 --> 00:16:52,433 will draw the money from that 609 00:16:52,433 --> 00:16:56,466 account so that you can pay the 610 00:16:56,466 --> 00:16:57,733 taxes that are due on this and 611 00:16:57,733 --> 00:16:59,000 then within so many days we'll 612 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:02,566 make a deposit check. 613 00:17:02,566 --> 00:17:03,700 I've also seen it where there's 614 00:17:03,700 --> 00:17:04,333 an actual check that's mailed 615 00:17:04,333 --> 00:17:04,600 to them. 616 00:17:04,600 --> 00:17:05,100 They deposit it. 617 00:17:05,100 --> 00:17:07,100 Folks think that it's real 618 00:17:07,100 --> 00:17:08,866 immediately thereafter they're 619 00:17:08,866 --> 00:17:09,866 sending a check off to pay 620 00:17:09,866 --> 00:17:10,900 those taxes because they just 621 00:17:10,900 --> 00:17:13,900 deposited that X dollar check 622 00:17:13,900 --> 00:17:15,533 into their account and the bank 623 00:17:15,533 --> 00:17:16,300 in essence is waiting for it to 624 00:17:16,300 --> 00:17:16,533 process. 625 00:17:16,533 --> 00:17:17,566 >> It's not a real check. 626 00:17:17,566 --> 00:17:21,100 It's a scam that's too good to 627 00:17:21,100 --> 00:17:21,366 be true. 628 00:17:21,366 --> 00:17:22,500 >> It's too good to be true. 629 00:17:22,500 --> 00:17:23,866 It money does not fall from the 630 00:17:23,866 --> 00:17:25,900 sky because you're a good 631 00:17:25,900 --> 00:17:26,633 person. 632 00:17:26,633 --> 00:17:27,766 >> Unfortunately you're taken 633 00:17:27,766 --> 00:17:28,366 advantage of by those folks. 634 00:17:28,366 --> 00:17:28,800 Exactly. 635 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:29,300 Exactly. 636 00:17:29,300 --> 00:17:32,800 This one that I got and this 637 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:33,800 came in an email I have not 638 00:17:33,800 --> 00:17:35,300 gotten this one before but it 639 00:17:35,300 --> 00:17:38,566 says that I have my 640 00:17:38,566 --> 00:17:39,833 subscription has been renewed 641 00:17:39,833 --> 00:17:44,333 for four something I don't know 642 00:17:44,333 --> 00:17:45,400 what it was for three years. 643 00:17:45,400 --> 00:17:47,633 >> Oh for three years and the 644 00:17:47,633 --> 00:17:50,400 payment is seven hundred and 645 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:51,666 ninety nine dollars and the 646 00:17:51,666 --> 00:17:56,433 tiny little print at the bottom 647 00:17:56,433 --> 00:17:57,800 says you know if you feel this 648 00:17:57,800 --> 00:18:01,900 is wrong or I don't whatever 649 00:18:01,900 --> 00:18:03,166 then call this number whatever 650 00:18:03,166 --> 00:18:04,400 to unsubscribe but like people 651 00:18:04,400 --> 00:18:08,933 have probably if you can if you 652 00:18:08,933 --> 00:18:09,933 have a lot of expenses maybe 653 00:18:09,933 --> 00:18:13,466 you think oh that's probably 654 00:18:13,466 --> 00:18:14,833 the magazine I forgot that I'm 655 00:18:14,833 --> 00:18:15,433 getting or something right. 656 00:18:15,433 --> 00:18:16,633 >> So that's again if you're 657 00:18:16,633 --> 00:18:19,900 looking at it it doesn't sound 658 00:18:19,900 --> 00:18:20,166 familiar. 659 00:18:20,166 --> 00:18:21,533 I can't imagine I paid seven 660 00:18:21,533 --> 00:18:22,100 eight hundred dollars for a 661 00:18:22,100 --> 00:18:23,066 magazine subscription stop take 662 00:18:23,066 --> 00:18:26,566 a beat really think about it 663 00:18:26,566 --> 00:18:27,066 and process it. 664 00:18:27,066 --> 00:18:27,833 What's important to is 665 00:18:27,833 --> 00:18:28,333 for folks to surround 666 00:18:28,333 --> 00:18:29,333 themselves with others that 667 00:18:29,333 --> 00:18:32,366 they trust that are trustworthy 668 00:18:32,366 --> 00:18:33,166 people that if they something 669 00:18:33,166 --> 00:18:34,000 comes up and it sounds too good 670 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:36,266 to be true if they're getting a 671 00:18:36,266 --> 00:18:38,533 phone call they're getting 672 00:18:38,533 --> 00:18:39,166 harassed to send money or 673 00:18:39,166 --> 00:18:40,300 requested to send money reach 674 00:18:40,300 --> 00:18:44,566 out to that person that is that 675 00:18:44,566 --> 00:18:45,233 trusted person in your 676 00:18:45,233 --> 00:18:45,866 life that trusted contact and 677 00:18:45,866 --> 00:18:47,366 what we encourage our seniors 678 00:18:47,366 --> 00:18:50,633 to do is to establish those 679 00:18:50,633 --> 00:18:51,200 relationships with trusted 680 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:52,400 people before they get to the 681 00:18:52,400 --> 00:18:55,666 point of really not quite 682 00:18:55,666 --> 00:18:56,833 understanding what's going on 683 00:18:56,833 --> 00:18:57,300 before they're really 684 00:18:57,300 --> 00:18:57,766 especially vulnerable. 685 00:18:57,766 --> 00:18:59,500 You want to establish those 686 00:18:59,500 --> 00:19:02,300 relationships early on. 687 00:19:02,300 --> 00:19:03,566 One of the suggestions too is 688 00:19:03,566 --> 00:19:04,433 to make sure that you stay 689 00:19:04,433 --> 00:19:05,433 socially active and you're 690 00:19:05,433 --> 00:19:07,733 around other people that you 691 00:19:07,733 --> 00:19:08,233 can talk about. 692 00:19:08,233 --> 00:19:09,233 >> Are you here have you heard 693 00:19:09,233 --> 00:19:09,533 this before? 694 00:19:09,533 --> 00:19:10,166 Does this sound genuine? 695 00:19:10,166 --> 00:19:10,600 Yeah. 696 00:19:10,600 --> 00:19:13,866 So you're not you're not by 697 00:19:13,866 --> 00:19:14,500 yourself and in your own 698 00:19:14,500 --> 00:19:15,066 thoughts and thinking, gosh, 699 00:19:15,066 --> 00:19:16,033 somebody is reaching out to me. 700 00:19:16,033 --> 00:19:32,533 They're showing me affection 701 00:19:32,533 --> 00:19:35,033 . 702 00:19:35,033 --> 00:19:36,300 Somebody is calling me it's so 703 00:19:36,300 --> 00:19:37,166 nice to have someone to talk to 704 00:19:37,166 --> 00:19:37,700 on a regular basis. 705 00:19:37,700 --> 00:19:38,466 There's an instance where a 706 00:19:38,466 --> 00:19:38,966 gentleman who is being 707 00:19:38,966 --> 00:19:39,600 contacted by allegedly a young 708 00:19:39,600 --> 00:19:40,233 woman and she had small 709 00:19:40,233 --> 00:19:40,900 children and she was struggling 710 00:19:40,900 --> 00:19:41,466 to pay for the groceries and 711 00:19:41,466 --> 00:19:42,000 put food on the table. 712 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:42,800 So he was sending small dollar 713 00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:43,466 amounts and so that process was 714 00:19:43,466 --> 00:19:44,133 started to get more and more 715 00:19:44,133 --> 00:19:44,833 money and individual as it went 716 00:19:44,833 --> 00:19:45,433 along the amount she needed 717 00:19:45,433 --> 00:19:46,066 became more became greater so 718 00:19:46,066 --> 00:19:48,200 the person had a good heart was 719 00:19:48,200 --> 00:19:50,466 doing felt that they were doing 720 00:19:50,466 --> 00:19:50,833 a good thing. 721 00:19:50,833 --> 00:19:51,633 >> They were lonely maybe. 722 00:19:51,633 --> 00:19:53,233 And at the end of the day 723 00:19:53,233 --> 00:19:56,000 though that wasn't the 724 00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:57,033 situation they were being taken 725 00:19:57,033 --> 00:19:57,400 advantage of . 726 00:19:57,400 --> 00:19:58,200 >> So you want to surround 727 00:19:58,200 --> 00:19:58,766 yourself with good people. 728 00:19:58,766 --> 00:20:00,966 You want to try and stay 729 00:20:00,966 --> 00:20:02,333 socially active, have a group 730 00:20:02,333 --> 00:20:03,233 with whom you can speak and ask 731 00:20:03,233 --> 00:20:04,000 does this sound real? 732 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:07,500 Have you heard this? 733 00:20:07,500 --> 00:20:08,633 >> Some suggestions are that 734 00:20:08,633 --> 00:20:09,300 even with your Social Security 735 00:20:09,300 --> 00:20:10,666 you can have a Social Security 736 00:20:10,666 --> 00:20:13,666 pay designee so that person 737 00:20:13,666 --> 00:20:14,433 could collect your social 738 00:20:14,433 --> 00:20:14,633 again. 739 00:20:14,633 --> 00:20:15,566 >> A trusted person would be 740 00:20:15,566 --> 00:20:17,600 able to receive the funds so 741 00:20:17,600 --> 00:20:20,333 that you're not being taken 742 00:20:20,333 --> 00:20:20,766 advantage of there. 743 00:20:20,766 --> 00:20:21,600 >> Sometimes folks are 744 00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:23,366 encouraged to move into a 745 00:20:23,366 --> 00:20:25,400 community. 746 00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:26,766 >> It's maybe a 55 and older 747 00:20:26,766 --> 00:20:27,033 community. 748 00:20:27,033 --> 00:20:28,033 So you have folks that are 749 00:20:28,033 --> 00:20:28,566 around you. 750 00:20:28,566 --> 00:20:32,066 You have the community itself 751 00:20:32,066 --> 00:20:32,966 may be protected who can come 752 00:20:32,966 --> 00:20:34,333 and go right so that you're not 753 00:20:34,333 --> 00:20:37,100 interested advantage if there's 754 00:20:37,100 --> 00:20:38,400 probably communication I mean 755 00:20:38,400 --> 00:20:39,033 they're sharing with the rest 756 00:20:39,033 --> 00:20:40,033 of the people in the community 757 00:20:40,033 --> 00:20:43,533 this scam is going on exactly 758 00:20:43,533 --> 00:20:43,800 right. 759 00:20:43,800 --> 00:20:44,666 >> Thomas hi. 760 00:20:44,666 --> 00:20:46,066 Thomas Thomas is watching us 761 00:20:46,066 --> 00:20:48,833 here tonight on LIFE Ahead. 762 00:20:48,833 --> 00:20:50,133 >> Thomas, you have a question 763 00:20:50,133 --> 00:20:50,400 for Brian? 764 00:20:50,400 --> 00:20:50,966 I did. 765 00:20:50,966 --> 00:20:55,733 I'm a small business owner and 766 00:20:55,733 --> 00:20:57,233 I've had several different 767 00:20:57,233 --> 00:21:01,300 people. 768 00:21:01,300 --> 00:21:02,800 It's like a Somalian accent 769 00:21:02,800 --> 00:21:07,300 telling me that they have a 770 00:21:07,300 --> 00:21:08,333 home in the Fort Wayne area and 771 00:21:08,333 --> 00:21:10,333 they want four or five ceiling 772 00:21:10,333 --> 00:21:12,833 sounds installed. 773 00:21:12,833 --> 00:21:13,966 Do I accept checks? 774 00:21:13,966 --> 00:21:19,966 Well, first time I gave them my 775 00:21:19,966 --> 00:21:21,000 address they mailed me a check 776 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:24,266 in advance and paid me and 777 00:21:24,266 --> 00:21:25,900 somehow my bank said the check 778 00:21:25,900 --> 00:21:26,800 was a fraud but right. 779 00:21:26,800 --> 00:21:30,800 They they try that a lot like 780 00:21:30,800 --> 00:21:31,366 you know seventeen hundred 781 00:21:31,366 --> 00:21:32,333 thirty two hundred dollar check 782 00:21:32,333 --> 00:21:36,100 or whatever and somehow explain 783 00:21:36,100 --> 00:21:37,000 how that whole scam works 784 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:38,400 because it seems like you know, 785 00:21:38,400 --> 00:21:42,900 they're wanting me to do the 786 00:21:42,900 --> 00:21:43,800 work and I go to an address 787 00:21:43,800 --> 00:21:44,166 nobody's there. 788 00:21:44,166 --> 00:21:47,433 You're never there key and 789 00:21:47,433 --> 00:21:49,066 right now well not enough sure. 790 00:21:49,066 --> 00:21:54,066 >> So Thomas I'm first I'm sad 791 00:21:54,066 --> 00:21:55,066 that that's happened to you 792 00:21:55,066 --> 00:21:55,733 but I think we should gather 793 00:21:55,733 --> 00:21:56,733 from tonight's conversation is 794 00:21:56,733 --> 00:22:00,066 that it happens very frequently 795 00:22:00,066 --> 00:22:01,466 and to a lot of people it's not 796 00:22:01,466 --> 00:22:01,733 just you. 797 00:22:01,733 --> 00:22:02,600 This is something that's 798 00:22:02,600 --> 00:22:04,333 happening on a very regular 799 00:22:04,333 --> 00:22:06,366 basis. 800 00:22:06,366 --> 00:22:07,366 Sandy is giving you examples 801 00:22:07,366 --> 00:22:07,900 of experiences she's had I 802 00:22:07,900 --> 00:22:08,666 giving you examples of the 803 00:22:08,666 --> 00:22:10,433 things that have happened with 804 00:22:10,433 --> 00:22:12,933 me and within my family with 805 00:22:12,933 --> 00:22:13,166 clients. 806 00:22:13,166 --> 00:22:13,833 >> It's very common. 807 00:22:13,833 --> 00:22:14,700 So thank you very much 808 00:22:14,700 --> 00:22:15,700 for saying that that's happened 809 00:22:15,700 --> 00:22:16,466 to you. 810 00:22:16,466 --> 00:22:18,700 But it would be uncommon. 811 00:22:18,700 --> 00:22:19,833 So we're going to think about 812 00:22:19,833 --> 00:22:20,200 that situation. 813 00:22:20,200 --> 00:22:21,366 It would be uncommon 814 00:22:21,366 --> 00:22:24,133 for someone to say before I've 815 00:22:24,133 --> 00:22:25,266 met you, before you've come and 816 00:22:25,266 --> 00:22:26,033 done the work, I'm going to 817 00:22:26,033 --> 00:22:26,800 send you payment. 818 00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:30,300 So what happens? 819 00:22:30,300 --> 00:22:31,300 So that's the first step. 820 00:22:31,300 --> 00:22:32,066 Does this make sense? 821 00:22:32,066 --> 00:22:33,066 Do I typically am I typically 822 00:22:33,066 --> 00:22:34,600 paid in advance of doing that 823 00:22:34,600 --> 00:22:36,333 handyman work that you're 824 00:22:36,333 --> 00:22:37,100 referencing hanging in those 825 00:22:37,100 --> 00:22:37,700 ceiling fans know typically 826 00:22:37,700 --> 00:22:38,266 folks would pay you after 827 00:22:38,266 --> 00:22:38,766 you've done the work. 828 00:22:38,766 --> 00:22:41,300 So that's our first thing that 829 00:22:41,300 --> 00:22:42,166 we want to look at. 830 00:22:42,166 --> 00:22:42,933 Secondly, what they're wanting 831 00:22:42,933 --> 00:22:43,700 you to do is deposit that 832 00:22:43,700 --> 00:22:43,900 check. 833 00:22:43,900 --> 00:22:45,200 You deposit the check and 834 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:47,733 sometimes what happens is 835 00:22:47,733 --> 00:22:48,733 people will draw against that 836 00:22:48,733 --> 00:22:48,933 check. 837 00:22:48,933 --> 00:22:49,266 Right. 838 00:22:49,266 --> 00:22:50,033 So it must be good. 839 00:22:50,033 --> 00:22:50,666 This check is good. 840 00:22:50,666 --> 00:22:53,166 So I'm going to draw against 841 00:22:53,166 --> 00:22:53,933 take that money. 842 00:22:53,933 --> 00:22:55,566 I trust them normally with the 843 00:22:55,566 --> 00:22:59,566 check being deposited it 844 00:22:59,566 --> 00:23:00,400 there's something that goes 845 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:00,800 along with it. 846 00:23:00,800 --> 00:23:01,600 You're going to be returning 847 00:23:01,600 --> 00:23:03,433 funds to them so I'm paying you 848 00:23:03,433 --> 00:23:05,433 a check. 849 00:23:05,433 --> 00:23:06,700 So you've told me the fan is 850 00:23:06,700 --> 00:23:07,333 five hundred dollars to install 851 00:23:07,333 --> 00:23:08,333 I'm going to send you a 852 00:23:08,333 --> 00:23:09,600 seventeen hundred dollar check 853 00:23:09,600 --> 00:23:12,133 just cut you a check back 854 00:23:12,133 --> 00:23:12,800 for the difference between the 855 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:13,333 five hundred and seventeen 856 00:23:13,333 --> 00:23:14,300 hundred dollar check that I've 857 00:23:14,300 --> 00:23:17,300 sent to you and you've you've 858 00:23:17,300 --> 00:23:18,500 made the check it's deposited 859 00:23:18,500 --> 00:23:19,233 the bank is waiting for it to 860 00:23:19,233 --> 00:23:20,366 clear in the interim you're 861 00:23:20,366 --> 00:23:23,366 sending payment to them. 862 00:23:23,366 --> 00:23:24,433 So that's oftentimes what 863 00:23:24,433 --> 00:23:25,133 happens with the check schemes, 864 00:23:25,133 --> 00:23:26,400 the lottery schemes, all 865 00:23:26,400 --> 00:23:30,166 of that kind of in the same 866 00:23:30,166 --> 00:23:30,433 vein. 867 00:23:30,433 --> 00:23:31,433 >> Yeah, it's so sad. 868 00:23:31,433 --> 00:23:33,200 Thomas, thank you so much 869 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:35,700 for calling tonight and sharing 870 00:23:35,700 --> 00:23:36,200 your story. 871 00:23:36,200 --> 00:23:37,033 And as Brian mentioned, 872 00:23:37,033 --> 00:23:38,000 probably every one of you 873 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:41,266 that's watching tonight have 874 00:23:41,266 --> 00:23:42,566 had some sort of a situation 875 00:23:42,566 --> 00:23:43,566 whether it's, you know, mail or 876 00:23:43,566 --> 00:23:46,300 phone call or whatever that is 877 00:23:46,300 --> 00:23:47,066 attempted scam. 878 00:23:47,066 --> 00:23:47,566 >> True. 879 00:23:47,566 --> 00:23:49,600 How much money you talked about 880 00:23:49,600 --> 00:23:53,100 romance between how much is 881 00:23:53,100 --> 00:23:53,900 lost every year for that 882 00:23:53,900 --> 00:23:54,333 literally billions. 883 00:23:54,333 --> 00:23:58,133 >> Billions do you know just 884 00:23:58,133 --> 00:23:59,666 scams in general how much money 885 00:23:59,666 --> 00:23:59,866 lost? 886 00:23:59,866 --> 00:24:00,866 >> The number that I have from 887 00:24:00,866 --> 00:24:02,633 the FBI is three point four 888 00:24:02,633 --> 00:24:04,900 billion in twenty twenty three. 889 00:24:04,900 --> 00:24:06,666 So I only have partial numbers 890 00:24:06,666 --> 00:24:06,933 for twenty 891 00:24:06,933 --> 00:24:07,533 twenty four obviously nothing 892 00:24:07,533 --> 00:24:08,200 for twenty twenty five yet 893 00:24:08,200 --> 00:24:11,200 but I think too we should think 894 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:12,100 ahead not only how much money 895 00:24:12,100 --> 00:24:12,866 is being lost but how else can 896 00:24:12,866 --> 00:24:13,500 we protect ourselves. 897 00:24:13,500 --> 00:24:17,000 So one of the things that you 898 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:18,033 may consider doing we talk on 899 00:24:18,033 --> 00:24:18,900 the show you've heard other 900 00:24:18,900 --> 00:24:19,666 attorneys talking for myself 901 00:24:19,666 --> 00:24:22,933 talk about trusts there are 902 00:24:22,933 --> 00:24:23,966 living trusts just a basic 903 00:24:23,966 --> 00:24:25,200 living trust that could be 904 00:24:25,200 --> 00:24:29,233 prepared that not only are you 905 00:24:29,233 --> 00:24:30,000 the trustee perhaps a trusted 906 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:30,866 person in your life is also a 907 00:24:30,866 --> 00:24:31,133 trustee. 908 00:24:31,133 --> 00:24:34,900 You have those trusts sometimes 909 00:24:34,900 --> 00:24:35,900 we built in something called a 910 00:24:35,900 --> 00:24:36,566 trust advisor where they can 911 00:24:36,566 --> 00:24:37,800 remove somebody if they were 912 00:24:37,800 --> 00:24:39,333 taking advantage of their 913 00:24:39,333 --> 00:24:40,600 position as a trustee. 914 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:41,633 But you want to build something 915 00:24:41,633 --> 00:24:42,366 where somebody else can step in 916 00:24:42,366 --> 00:24:43,500 can help protect your money. 917 00:24:43,500 --> 00:24:46,833 Yeah, And can be a gatekeeper 918 00:24:46,833 --> 00:24:47,666 to those funds being lost. 919 00:24:47,666 --> 00:24:52,433 So first is always to think 920 00:24:52,433 --> 00:24:52,800 about it. 921 00:24:52,800 --> 00:24:53,700 Does it is this right? 922 00:24:53,700 --> 00:24:54,833 Is it if it's too good to be 923 00:24:54,833 --> 00:24:56,100 true if I'm the small business 924 00:24:56,100 --> 00:24:58,366 owner and somebody sending me a 925 00:24:58,366 --> 00:24:59,066 check for seventy two hundred 926 00:24:59,066 --> 00:24:59,700 dollars before I've done any 927 00:24:59,700 --> 00:25:00,466 work and they're asking me to 928 00:25:00,466 --> 00:25:01,866 send a little bit money back to 929 00:25:01,866 --> 00:25:04,133 them that isn't normal. 930 00:25:04,133 --> 00:25:05,066 That's not normal behavior. 931 00:25:05,066 --> 00:25:06,133 So we want to listen to that 932 00:25:06,133 --> 00:25:06,433 phone call. 933 00:25:06,433 --> 00:25:08,066 Is it normal in my life have I 934 00:25:08,066 --> 00:25:10,833 had someone reach out to me out 935 00:25:10,833 --> 00:25:11,700 of the blue that I've never met 936 00:25:11,700 --> 00:25:12,466 before saying that they love me 937 00:25:12,466 --> 00:25:13,733 and they need my help and they 938 00:25:13,733 --> 00:25:15,733 have small children or those 939 00:25:15,733 --> 00:25:16,900 types of things going on. 940 00:25:16,900 --> 00:25:17,800 So surround yourself with good 941 00:25:17,800 --> 00:25:18,033 people. 942 00:25:18,033 --> 00:25:18,533 Don't isolate yourself. 943 00:25:18,533 --> 00:25:20,666 Get those documents set up in 944 00:25:20,666 --> 00:25:22,933 advance so that if someboy 945 00:25:22,933 --> 00:25:23,833 needs to help you they can help 946 00:25:23,833 --> 00:25:24,866 you out and share your 947 00:25:24,866 --> 00:25:26,366 information like Thomas shared 948 00:25:26,366 --> 00:25:28,866 his story tonight. 949 00:25:28,866 --> 00:25:30,266 You know, if you have something 950 00:25:30,266 --> 00:25:31,633 going on like we both talked 951 00:25:31,633 --> 00:25:34,633 about, we've gotten lucky. 952 00:25:34,633 --> 00:25:35,633 >> Was it text? 953 00:25:35,633 --> 00:25:36,666 Is that how it came? 954 00:25:36,666 --> 00:25:40,433 I received the text I received 955 00:25:40,433 --> 00:25:41,166 a text regarding Toll this 956 00:25:41,166 --> 00:25:41,366 week. 957 00:25:41,366 --> 00:25:42,800 I received a letter you've 958 00:25:42,800 --> 00:25:45,800 received apparently two texts 959 00:25:45,800 --> 00:25:46,966 email some postcards in the 960 00:25:46,966 --> 00:25:47,966 mail family member was on the 961 00:25:47,966 --> 00:25:49,733 television what phone number to 962 00:25:49,733 --> 00:25:52,866 call regarding getting their TV 963 00:25:52,866 --> 00:25:53,233 working again. 964 00:25:53,233 --> 00:25:54,000 >> They're very clever, very 965 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:58,033 clever, very clever and the 966 00:25:58,033 --> 00:25:59,533 toll road one by the way is 967 00:25:59,533 --> 00:26:00,233 very common right now and 968 00:26:00,233 --> 00:26:00,866 that's when they're going to 969 00:26:00,866 --> 00:26:02,400 call you or text you and tell 970 00:26:02,400 --> 00:26:04,900 you you owe X number of dollars 971 00:26:04,900 --> 00:26:06,033 for toll road fees for 80 90 972 00:26:06,033 --> 00:26:08,033 and I haven't been on eighty 973 00:26:08,033 --> 00:26:10,433 ninety five years so I knew 974 00:26:10,433 --> 00:26:11,066 that one was a scam. 975 00:26:11,066 --> 00:26:12,466 >> Thank you for watching and I 976 00:26:12,466 --> 00:26:15,466 hope you have learned a lot 977 00:26:15,466 --> 00:26:16,633 here that might protect you. 978 00:26:16,633 --> 00:26:17,600 Brian, thank you for sharing. 979 00:26:17,600 --> 00:26:18,133 Thank you Sandy . 980 00:26:18,133 --> 00:26:18,533 Appreciate it. 981 00:26:18,533 --> 00:26:18,900 All right. 982 00:26:18,900 --> 00:26:20,900 We'll see you next Wednesday 983 00:26:20,900 --> 00:26:21,433 night. 984 00:26:21,433 --> 00:26:22,666 Seven thirty right here. 985 00:26:22,666 --> 00:27:13,066 No scam no scam 986 00:27:14,133 --> 00:27:17,166 Nugen Law; focusing on estate planning and elder care 987 00:27:17,166 --> 00:27:20,733 law, emphasizing independence and quality of life. 988 00:27:20,733 --> 00:27:24,133 Serving Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Florida. 989 00:27:24,133 --> 00:27:28,133 More information at NugenLaw.com.