Bloomington / Normal, IL

Working with the community... for a healthier community.

Don’t Get Scammed!

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Submitted by Allison Fisher, Community Relations Director, Welbrook Senior Living

In today’s world, scamming senior citizens is a common practice. Criminals target older adults because they are often more trusting. However, there are several ways that a senior citizen can avoid being scammed. Below are some helpful tips to avoid any scamming techniques.

Tip 1:
Have your money deposited directly into your bank accounts

Rather than having social security or retirement payments sent to your home with a paper check, use direct deposit. If you do not know how to do this, then talk to an associate at your bank who can help you with the process. At the same time, you can arrange to have your monthly utility bills paid automatically through your checking account.

Tip 2:
Stop unsolicited email, telephone calls, and postal mail

Visit the federal government’s consumer website that helps you to stop unsolicited telephone calls, email, and postal mail. In only a few minutes, you can fill out the form that requests your information so that it can notify companies that you do not want to receive any type of unsolicited mail or telephone calls. In addition, some states also have a consumer website with this type of form to prevent scamming. If you are not keen to using technology, ask a family member or trusted individual to assist with this process.

Tip 3:
Hang a “No Solicitation” sign on your front door

Place a “no solicitation” sign on your front door to prevent salespeople from trying to sell you a variety of items. A salesperson might convince a senior citizen to spend hundreds of dollars on magazine subscriptions, lawn care services, or beauty care products. Solicitation can also include those seeking information for surveys or political polls.

Unfortunately, scamming of older adults is happening more frequently in this day and age. The more educated you are on ways that scam artists attempt to deceive senior citizens, the less likely it is that you will become a victim of scamming practices.

Welbrook at Bloomington is a new, state-of-the-art senior living community offering independent/assisted living and memory care. “Living life well” at Welbrook means having the support, care, and compassion to continue a lifestyle with just a change of location. Welbrook at Bloomington is located at 1402 Leslie Drive, Bloomington. For additional information, contact Allison Fisher, Community Relations Director at 309-603-2500 or visit WelbrookBloomington.com.