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14 SOUTHERN SENIOR MAGAZINE | Fall 2020 HOLIDAY SCAMS Scams that target older people occur every day, but you can count on them to ramp up their efforts to prey on people’s generosity during the holiday season. During the holidays, the common scam known as the imposter or “grandparent scam” might be decorated with a special plea, a story of a relative in trouble who desperately needs money to fix a car or get out of jail-and home for the holidays. The ruse known as the IRS scam takes on a vicious new twist with a grinch on the phone threatening an elder with been arrested and spending the holidays in jail for unpaid taxes or a fake debt. And then there is the predictable increase in false or imposter chari- ties, which sound identical to real ones. These grinches stand ready to take your credit card or check routing information and charge you for a bogus holiday charity fundraising event. These scammers may even scour the internet and social medial sites looking for a special connection to your life, to get you to trust them so you’ll be willing to part with your hard-earned money. Here are a few tips: - Before offering your help to someone who claims to be a grand- child (or other relative/friend) be sure to telephone your family to verify that the emergency or urgent request is genuine. - Beware of a caller who insists on secrecy. Never allow anyone to discourage you from seeking information from family members, a friend or trusted advisers. - Take the following precautions to make sure your charitable do- nations benefit the people and organizations you want to help. If a caller claims to be from an established organization such as hospital, charity etc. - Ask for detailed information about the charity, including name, address and telephone number. - Then call the charity directly. Ask if the organization is aware of the solicitation and has authorized the use of its name. - If you have received a letter from the IRS stating that you owe taxes, call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 for information. - The IRS will neither call to demand immediate payment or call without first mailing a bill. They will also not threaten you with ar- rest for not paying. Information provided by Jennifer Duane of the CFPB- Office for older Americans (https://consumerfinance.gov/older-americans • Affordable Cost of Living • Low Taxes • Low Crime Rate • Quality Medical Care • Recreation • Educational & Cultural Opportunities • A Warm, Welcoming Community Come Home PICAYUNE to a place called 1 of Mississippi’s only 20 Certified Retirement Cities By Dawn Vosbein MS, MPH, RD, LDN