HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Just when you thought you knew everything about how scammers work, you learn something new. Elinor Eakins is a senior citizen who says she has learned do much by attending Huntsville's PEACE Conference to prevent elder abuse. "I learned a lot about scams that I thought I knew all about scams, and I learned that somebody can even change the face of a person or change the voice of a person to fool you." Eakins believes there are many ways that scammers can get to seniors, and shares another tip she learned today. "Somebody's saying I'm your grandson may not be because they did change the voice to make it sound like your grandson, and above all, don't say, 'Is that you Tom?' Then you've told the name of the grandson. Yes."
TARCOG Director of Aging Programs Sheila Dessau-Ivey shares one of the most common scams they typically witness. "They're pulling at the families heartstrings so people react and send money and give credit card information over the phone quickly because they think their family is in trouble." Dessau-Ivey also leaves a valuable word of advice. "If it sounds too, too good to be true, it probably is. Say no. If you are concerned that it's a family member that might be in trouble, a grandchild that might be in trouble. Have a code word or something that the only the family knows that you can use to make sure you're talking to who you think you are."
Huntsville's Studio 60 Senior Center was also there. Marketing Director Cathie Mayne explained that this is because there are many seniors who rely on their free services. "Meals on Wheels for the city, we have eight nutrition centers around Madison County, we have a fitness center, and we have got a lot of services and classes for those who are over 60 and able to stay active and healthy."
On the healthcare side, Brookshire Healthcare Center Admissions Coordinator Summer Presnell says patient care is what's most important to their team, and they want to let everyone know their options for their loved one. "If they ever get into a bind where they are not able to take care of them at home. we want to let everyone know that that is an option, whether it's easy or not for the family. but we we are able to take just about anyone and help all the families across North Alabama."
According to a 2022 report from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, total financial losses by fraud victims over age 60 increased by 84 percent from 2021 to 2022, and 916 of these victims lived in Alabama