Why it isn't safe to answer your phone in later life

The world has changed. For many people of older age, it is not for the better. Having to live as a person mistrusting of every phone call is now a necessary reality. The simple act of answering the phone, which use to be a socially benign, safe, everyday occurrence is now the best tool for victimizing people of older age. Why is it so successful with older people versus younger people? The older cohort grew up with answering the phone. That was how people communicated with businesses, friends and family — 99.9% of the time, those who called another were not out to hurt the person on the other end of the telephone line. This is no longer the case. In May 2024, the FBI released a report, entitled "Older Americans Lose Billions to Fraudsters." The report stated that "Florida ranked second in the nation for the number of complaints and reported losses. "Senior in the Sunshine State reported losses of more than $90 million to investment schemes, $51,496,415 to Tech Support scams and over $40 million to Romance scams." (https://www.fbi.gov/contact- us/field-offices/tampa/news/older-americans-lose-billions- to-fraudsters). Not all of these scams are initiated by the telephone. The internet is also equally dangerous. However, the telephone often plays a major role in convincing the soon-to-be victim the caller can be trusted. Other common ways older people are scammed using the phone are: • You have won a sweepstakes/Publisher's Clearinghouse • You have won the lottery in another country • You didn't pay your taxes — "We are coming to arrest you, unless you pay." • You owe the IRS money and you must pay immediately. • "I love you. Please send me money." (A ploy known as a romance scam.) To learn from the misfortune of others, Serving Our Seniors invites Erie County's 60+ population to its forum, "True Stories of Phone Scams." The speakers are Detective Alexis Harvey of the Erie County Sheriff's Office and Fil De'Bante, Attorney with the Federal Trade Commission, and the forum takes place from 1:30-3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, at the third floor of the Erie County Office Building, 247 Columbus Ave. in downtown Sandusky. Seating is limited to 60. RSVPs are due by tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 17, by calling Serving Our Seniors registration line: 419-504-0585. Leave your name, phone number and the name of this event. If the forum is canceled, you will be notified by phone.