https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/20283-scam-alert-dont-be-fooled-by-a-fake-package-delivery-scam
Pacific Grove, CA Elder Abuse Alert : Fed Ex And UPS Tracking Alerts Could Be Fake : By Derek Baine
Carmel, CA Financial Mishaps Can Be Signs Of Dementia And Alzheimer’s Disease
I wrote previously on my blog about the Alzheimer’s Association’s list of “Causes and Risk Factors For Alzheimer’s Disease†and I saw a follow up article the New York Times posted today stating that financial mistakes may be an indication of dementia. This may seem like a no-brainer, but if you have a relative who is in charge of a large amount of money who has early-onset dementia, this could be very dangerous. In fact, they could lose everything. The article did a deep dive into Maria Turner, who saw a red pick up truck she liked on eBay, clicked on a button and spent $20,000. The next morning she woke up having no recollection of having bought the truck. The experience scared Maria, a critical care nurse. “I made a joke out of it, but it really disturbed me,†she told the NYT. Six years later, at the age of only 53, she had to see a doctor after she had binged on everything from garden gnomes to shoes. Doctors told her that imaging of her brain showed all of the hallmarks of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative disease. It could have been caused by injuries in her youth falling from horses, but doctors said there was evidence she was developing Alzheimer’s disease and frontal lobe dementia. This is a sad story, but not a new one. Regular readers of my blog know that both my father and grandmother had this terrible disease when they passed away. There are wonderful people at our local chapter of Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan’s Ranch. They also have a 24-hour hotline if you need support at 800-272-3900.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/29/business/alzheimers-dementia-personal-finance.html
Carmel, CA Elder Abuse Alert : Coronavirus Scams
Experts warn that the rapid expansion in coronavirus cases is going to result in a big increase in elder abuse scams. Scams are being developed that promise to deliver you a COVID vaccine—it will be a fake just like Gucci bags that are commonly counterfeited. Some are posing as being from Medicare or the Social Security Administration. Neither will ask you for sensitive information. In fact, I just got one the other day. I picked up the phone and they asked my name, which I gave to them, then they asked for my date of birth to “verify my identity.â€Â I asked who was calling and they hung up!
Pacific Grove, CA Elder Abuse Alert From Citibank
Citibank just issued a fraud alert regarding fraudsters posing as a Citibank employee by email, text or phone and requesting personal information which would allow them to access your account. Whenever Citibank calls you they will never ask for your account number, security word, PIN number or online user ID. If you receive a suspicious communication, do not respond. Rather, forward it to [email protected]. Unfortunately, these fraud schemes usually focus on wealthy areas like Monterey, Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach. Always be on the alert!
Monterey, CA Elder Abuse Alert : AARP Focuses On Relatives
Due to the significant amount of wealth on the Monterey Peninsula, we are inundated with press stories regarding financial elder abuse. The amounts stolen from seniors is staggering, and sadly, it’s often done by close friends or family. AARP The Magazine focused on this recently (April/May 2021, page 82), highlighting its award-winning Podcast The Perfect Scam, which details how con artists work and share tips to better protect you and your loved ones from a scam. List to it at www.aarp.org/pdcasts/theperfectscam. . If you believe that you are witnessing elder abuse, please call Adult Protective Services. Unfortunately, with the wealth on the Monterey Peninsula residents of Carmel, PG and Pebble Beach are often targeted.
Carmel, CA Financial Elder Abuse Abounds Amidst Pandemic
AARP The Magazine recently ran an article about financial elder abuse, which, unfortunately, is often done by a family member. Liz Loewy, former chief of the Elder Abuse Unit of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and now chief operating officer of a financial-monitoring company EverSafe said these crimes are all too prevalent. Sadly, many cases go unreported. A study of New York residents found that only 1 in 44 elder abuse cases were reported to authorities. “They may start out helping a parent, with good intentions, and then, after the parent exhibits signs of diminished capacity, start diverting funds,†Lowey said. “It often starts small, then progresses into ‘I wrote a few checks to pay for Johnny’s college. She always said she wanted to help with tuition.’ Or beyond that, home improvement or a new car,†she said. If you believe that you are witnessing elder abuse, please call Adult Protective Services.  Unfortunately, with the wealth on the Monterey Peninsula residents of Carmel, PG and Pebble Beach are often targeted.
Pacific Grove, CA Elder Abuse Alert : Scammers Posing As The Police
The Monterey police are warning local residents of a phone scam where callers identify themselves as law enforcement and demand payment, threatening you with arrest if you don’t comply. Some identify themselves with the actual names of local or federal law enforcement. They will ask you to buy bitcoin or gift cards and then read the serial numbers off of the cards. Your caller ID may show the call is coming from a local law enforcement agency, the FBI or the IRS. If you receive a suspicious call, you can contact the Monterey Police Department at 646-3830 or 646-3914.
Carmel Elder Abuse Alert : Scammers Posing As The Police
The Monterey police are warning local residents of a phone scam where callers identify themselves as law enforcement and demand payment, threatening you with arrest if you don’t comply. Some identify themselves with the actual names of local or federal law enforcement. They will ask you to buy bitcoin or gift cards and then read the serial numbers off of the cards. Your caller ID may show the call is coming from a local law enforcement agency, the FBI or the IRS. If you receive a suspicious call, you can contact the Monterey Police Department at 646-3830 or 646-3914.
Monterey, CA Elder Abuse Alert
Although anyone can be a victim of the many scams that criminals are carrying out now, data from the Federal Trade Commission shows that consumers age 80 and older are far more likely to be scammed by phone and lose the most money, a median of $1,250. “Even if you do everything perfectly, you can still be susceptible to fraud,†Shameka Walker, a fraud and identity theft program manager at the FTC, told Kiplinger’s Retirement Report. Most scammers are hacking in to find your email address and hawking you products that you may have been searching for. Other popular scams are selling fake COVID-19 vaccines and PPE equipment to protect against the virus. Seniors living in Carmel, Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach are particularly vulnerable as these crooks target high-income areas.
Monterey, CA Elder Abuse Alert : Preying On Those Unable To Get COVID-19 Vaccination
been able to get vaccinated yet. They are touting that they can get you vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine for just $30. It’s not true.  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has arrested three people and charged them with conspiracy to commit fraud. But it’s not over. These scams are very common so stay on the alert.