Page 14 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, November 11, 2022 avvya yavvy eniiooravvy S iorn or vvy io iori by Jim Miller Top Financial Scams Targeting Seniors Today Dear Savvy Senior, What are the most common scams today that target elderly seniors? My 75-year-old mother has been swindled several times over the past year, so I’m being extra cautious. Paranoid Patty Dear Patty, Great question! While many scams today are universal, there are certain types of fraud that specifi cally target older adults or aff ects them disproportionately. And unfortunately, these senior targeted scams are on the rise. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in 2021 there were 92,371 older victims of fraud resulting in $1.7 billion in losses. This was a 74 percent increase in losses compared to 2020. Here are fi ve of the most common senior scams that were reported last year, that both you and your mom should be aware of. Government imposter scams: These are fraudulent telephone calls from people claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration or Medicare. These scammers may falsely tell you that you have unpaid taxes and threaten arrest or deportation if you don’t pay up immediately. Or they may say your Social Security or Medicare benefi ts are in danger of being cut off if you don’t provide personal identifying information. They may even “spoof” your caller ID to make it look like the government is actually calling. Sweepstakes and lottery scams: These scams may contact you by phone, mail or email. They tell you that you’ve won or have the potential to win a jackpot. But you need to pay a fee, or cover taxes and processing fees to receive your prize, perhaps by prepaid debit card, wire transfer, money order or cash. Scammers may even impersonate well-known sweepstakes organizations, like Publishers Clearing House, to fool you. Robocalls and phone scam: Robocalls take advantage of sophisticated, automated phone technology to carry out a variety of scams on trusting older adults who answer the phone. Some robocalls may claim that a warranty is expiring on their car or electronic device, and payment is needed to renew it. These scammers may also “spoof” the number to make the call look authentic. One common robocall is the “Can you hear me?” call. When the older person says “yes,” the scammer records their voice and hangs up. The criminal then has a voice signature to authorize unwanted charges on items like stolen credit cards. Computer tech support scams: Theses scams prey on senior’s lack of knowledge about computers and cybersecurity. A popup message or blank screen usually appears on a computer or phone, telling you that your device is compromised and needs fi xing. When you call the support number for help, the scammer may either request remote access to your computer and/or that you pay a fee to have it repaired. Grandparent scam: The grandparent scam has been around for several years now. A scammer will call and say something along the lines of: “Hi Grandma, do you know who this is?” When the unsuspecting grandparent guesses the name of the grandchild the scammer most sounds like, the scammer has established a fake identity. The fake grandchild will then ask for money to solve some unexpected fi nancial problem (legal trouble, overdue rent, car repairs, etc.), to be paid via gift cards or money transfers, which don’t always require identifi cation to collect. Other Scams Some other popular scams targeting older adults right now are romance scams through social media and online dating sites, COVID-19 scams, investment scams, Medicare and health insurance scams, and Internet and email fraud. For more information on the diff erent types senior scams to watch out for, along with tips to help your mom protect herself, visit the National Council on Aging website at NCOA.org, and type in “the top 5 fi nancial scams targeting older adults” in the search bar. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. OBITUARIES Carol M. (Russo) Abramo Of Malden.A lifelong resident, entered into eternal life on Wednesday, November 2, at the Melrose Wakefi eld Hospital.Carol was born December 25th, 1942, the daughter of the Late Philip and Margaret (Cummings) Russo.She was educated in the Malden Schools, graduating from Malden High School with the Class of 1960. She worked at John Hancock, the Radio Station, and helped out at the family-owned Floral Shop.Carol enjoyed playing cards, going to the movies, and listening to music.In later years, she sold her house and moved to the Atria Holiday Maplewood Place Assisted Living where she made many friends. Carol with her robust personality had a way of making people feel good. Carol is the beloved wife of the late Frank Abramo for 52 years. She is survived by her sons, Frank P. Abramo of Andover and Michael A. Abramo of Upton, her grandchildren, Michael, Alexander, and Melina, her daughter-in-law Maria Abramo, and her brother, Philip "Buster" Russo and wife Patricia of Groveland, Carol holds a special place in her heart for Frani and Wes, godchild Lynne, Cousin Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Denise, and Larry.She is also survived by many special cousins. Carols funeral was held from the Weir-MacCuish Golden Rule Funeral Home, Malden, on Tuesday, November 8th, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in S. Joseph’s Church, Malden at 10 AM.Interment followed in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Helen R. Morrill Of Malden, a longtime resident, passed away on October 29th.Helen was born in Edgeware, England in 1958, the daughter of Paul and Marian Morrill. She was raised in Malden and graduated from Malden High School in 1976. Helen’s proudest accomplishment was becoming a parent, she was City of Malden Community Preservation Committee Monthly Meeting and Public Hearing Agenda Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 6:00 PM Monthly Meeting and Public Hearing Hybrid Meeting City Hall, Room #108, 200 Pleasant Street, Malden MA (in person) Live streamed via Zoom (virtual) On June 16, 2022, Governor Baker signed into law An Act Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency. This Act includes an extension, until March 31, 2023, of the remote meeting provisions of his March 12, 2020, Executive Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law. This meeting will be conducted in person and via remote participation. This meeting may include in person attendance by members of the public and via remote access by internet or telephone. Public access will also be provided by posting draft minutes, and/or a transcript, recording, or record of the meeting on the City of Malden website at cityofmalden.org as soon as practicable after the meeting. Additional information/guidelines for the public can be found here: https://www. mass.gov/service-details/updated-guidance-on-holding-meetings-pursuant-tothe-act-extending-certain-covid-19-measures. Members of the public who wish to attend remotely can do so using the following information: https://cityofmalden.zoom.us/j/97068679633 Webinar ID: 970 6867 9633 Or join by phone from the US: +1 646 518 9805 or +1 929 436 2866 If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Maria Luise, ADA Compliance Coordinator at mluise@cityofmalden.org or 781-397-7000, Ext. 2005 Agenda 1. Call to Order/ Roll Call 2. Approval of October 2022 Meeting Minutes 3. Other Business 4. Adjournment of CPC Monthly Meeting 5. CPC Public Informational Hearing 6. Public Project Hearing a. Patchell Park b. Trafton Park 7. Adjournment of Public Hearing November 04, 11, 2022 a doting and loving mother to her only daughter Justine, Helen was a single mother and the two were best friends until Justine’s passing from Metastatic Breast Cancer in 2020.Helen worked for APV Gaulin for many years.Then went on to work as an Offi ce Manager at Middlesex Appraisal. Helen is survived by her longtime partner John Stella, her siblings Steven Morrill and wife Silvana and Melissa (Morrill) Lightbody and husband Michael, son in law J.R. Plourde and partner Renee Theriault, her grandchildren Jo-Jo and Lexi Plourde, nieces and nephews Michela and Danielle Morrill and Sean and Peyton Lightbody as well as many other family members and friends all of whom will miss her dearly. During her free time Helen enjoyed going to the beach. Helen proudly attended many events her grandchildren were a part of whether it be ice hockey, baseball games or dance competitions you would fi nd her there. Helen was predeceased by daughter Justine Plourde and her parents Paul and Marian Morrill. OBITUARIES | SEE PAGE 18
15 Publizr Home