Seniors Be Aware of Scams

Scams of senior citizens are growing each year. Here are some of the most prevalent scams to be aware of: Investment and work at home schemes: In an effort to supplement their fixed incomes seniors respond to these direct mail and e-mail ads. The investment invitations promise huge returns and usually require victim to sign up quickly. In working from home scams, whether it is stuffing envelopes, data entry or serving as a “mystery shopper” the offers that are not legitimate ask the applicant to send money up front to cover start up costs. Medicare scams: Seniors are called or e-mailed by someone who claims to be with Medicare saying some errors have occurred and they need updated information such as social security, bank account or credit card numbers. Medicare will never request personal financial information by phone or e-mail. Lottery and sweepstakes scams: Typically a letter is sent to the victim announcing they are a big winner of a lottery or sweepstakes. There is either a request to wire money to pay the taxes and process the winning prize or the letter will even include a bogus check with instructions to deposit the check and then wire a portion of the prize back to cover taxes etc. When the check bounces the victim is out of that “tax money” or processing amount with little or no recourse because it was wired to an overseas account. Unprofessional professionals: This con game is more prevalent this time of year. A knock on the door and unsuspecting seniors invite an unscrupulous roof repairer, termite exterminator, gas leak technician, air duct cleaner, or other shoddy home repair specialist into their homes. They often claim to have been working in the neighborhood and noticed or suspected similar problems with the victim’s house. For reliable handyman services, please contact “We Care Home Repair” – a program of Senior Citizen Services of Metropolitan Atlanta – for affordable, trustworthy repairs at 404-351-6573. Bereavement scams: These are the cruelest of all con games: The scammers take advantage of seniors who have recently lost loved ones, most likely a spouse, daughter or son by scouring the obituaries. They call the widow or widower or grieving parent claiming that their dear departed has outstanding debts that need to be paid immediately by check or credit card. Grandchild in trouble scam: The con artist impersonates a grandchild to a senior who may have some hearing deficit or claims to be some sort of law enforcement or public official giving details of the young person’s financial or legal trouble that needs to be dealt with immediately. Wire the money now is the request to avoid sending the grandchild to jail or bailing them out of one. Please ensure that you and your loved ones are vigilant in protecting yourself and the older adults that are important to you.

10K Bridges the geneRACEtion Gap

Senior Citizen Services of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc. (SCS) and Kate’s Club announced today an exciting geneRACEtion 10K Run and 2K Fun Run benefiting two of Atlanta’s most deserving but often overlooked groups, children and seniors. Both non-profit organizations provide valuable services to meet these groups most basic needs; SCS provides meals and home repair services to Atlanta’s seniors and Kate’s Club programs restore hope for children grieving from a family death.

On Saturday, May 21, two generations will come together to host the annual geneRACEtion 10K Run and 2K Fun Run in Grant Park. We will raise money while running or walking through one of Atlanta’s oldest neighborhoods. More than 1,000 runners are expected to participate. Proceeds raised from geneRACEtion will benefit two worthy organizations:

Kate’s Club is a non-profit organization that empowers children and teens facing life after the death of a parent or sibling. By creating a safe, uplifting environment and providing them with critical skills to cope during a difficult and vulnerable time in their lives, we have a positive impact on grieving youth by preparing them to be productive, healthy members of their families and communities. For more information, please visit http://www.katesclub.org/.

Senior Citizen Services of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc. (SCS), a nonprofit, community-based organization, has been providing services since 1965 and is designed to support senior independence through meals, shelter, education and community. Their programs include Meals On Wheels Atlanta, Home Repair Services, Vivian T. Minor Adult Day Care for Alzheimer’s/Dementia, and Neighborhood Senior Centers. For more information on programs, please visit http://www.scsatl.org/.

“Although SCS and Kate’s Club are focused on meeting basic living needs for our clients, the geneRACEtion 10K and 2K Fun Run will bring together people from all over the metro area to have fun and to celebrate life in a healthy and invigorating way,” said Jeffrey Smythe, Executive Director of Senior Citizen Services of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc. (SCS). “Through participation in the geneRACEtion 10K and 2K Fun Run, metro Atlantans can remember what it is like to be a child, and sometimes how difficult that is, and at the same time, we’re all looking forward to growing older in an independent and dignified way.”

Emily Brenner Hawkins, Executive Director of Kate’s Club said, “The Kate’s Club children are so excited run in memory of their loved ones and to join our friends at SCS in this wonderful celebration of life and community.”

To register for the 10K or 2K races, please visit http://www.generacetion.org/. On-line registrations will be accepted until May 19. Registration fee is $35 for the 10K and $25 for the 2K.