Don't Answer the Phone, It Might Be a Scam

Three things that the elderly (eighty-plus) fear. These uncertainties leave the elderly open to scams.
1. Being hurt by a burglar
2. Losing millions of dollars due to an inability to collect,
3. Not being able to get to the door when Publisher Clearing house comes-a-knocking
For the past year, a senior citizen received scam- phone-calls at least three times per day. The information that she passed on to me, seemed farfetched with a possibility of dementia mixed in. At least, that was the consensus among her family members. The elderly woman relayed how her family would roll their eyes and laugh up their sleeves, when she tried to talk about the phone calls.
Her younger relatives never received those phone calls. So, how could they expect to understand the strange situation that their Great-grandmother endured each time the phone rang- A mix of intimidation and fear, add in muddled reality and a pinch of truth and there you have it, the life of the elderly. Not the safe place it should be, but one where time induced weakness leaves you open to an oddity of harassment. Seniors have a lifetime of savings, along with aging brain cells that oscillate from adult to child as the day lengthens. People out to harm your grandparents, will call in those late afternoon hours order them to listen and take what they want, usually money. Some will move into their homes. All are swindling and stealing.
As she told her story of the daily phone calls, the elderly woman shook her head and “tisked, tisked” at my suspicion. “Why,” she asked, “would they lie to me?”
Then, the phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and held the receiver out towards me, allowing the words, ‘Privacy Manager’ to be viewed. Then she placed the phone in my hand....

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“I have no fear of burglars; I spoke loudly over his sales pitch.” My voice crackled. I “have old Bessie and a rocking chair with a good view of the driveway. I doubt anyone would come sneaking around my house.”
CLICK!
This could be hilarious except thousands of elderly people are scammed daily with these phone calls. They use fear and intimidation, and promises of large winnings.
• Just remember that your phone doesn’t have to be answered.
• If you don’t recognize the number let it go to voice mail.
• Set your ringer to go to voicemail after six or eight rings.
• Remember, people you don’t need to talk to, will ring three times before they hang up.
We all have the wish to bring money into our families to pay off bills and stop worrying. It could be a senior’s last chance to give out money to their family, before the medical community drains their money away…