Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano
(Beaver, Pa.) COVID-19 has caused severe financial and emotional stress for many citizens, especially older people who have less in person visits and family support during the COVID-19 Older residents are increasingly reaching out to strangers for information or help. Isolated seniors are answering their phones when strangers call. Too many callers are scam artists that pose as government representatives. They also pose as helpers for respected medical, insurance or financial companies. They want you to give them your personal information such as your full name, date of birth, social security number, Medicare number or account number.
DON’T NEVER GIVE ANY INFORMATION TO SOMEONE CALLS YOU, Mr. Lozier advises. If it’s important enough you can ask the caller to identify themselves and their company and yo give you a phone number for you to call them back. If it sounds suspicious, ask a family member or friend for advice, or have them call and confirm who you are talking to. Never give credit card info over the phone.
Neer buy a gift card when a caller asks you to pay a fee with one. This is a guaranteed scam. Mrs. Lozier said, “The old term Stranger Danger covers all phone calls. If you do give information or are scammed let your family know. You can report a telephone or computer scam online to the Federal Trade Commission or call them FTC 1-877-382-4357. No one will be able to refund your money or get your privacy back once you give it away over the phone.
The best advice I can give as District Attorney is this: have a caller ID and an answering machine. never answer the phone if you don’t know who the caller is. Let any unknown call go to voice mail. If it is important the caller will leave a message and a call back number. Be safe— screen you calls with voice mail or an answering machine.