Contact Us

Font Size +/-

Report Fraud
Iowa Fraud Fighters
    MENUMENU
    • About Fraud Fighters
      • Attend a Fraud Fighters Event
    • Investment Scams
          • Affinity Fraud
          • Free Dinner Seminar
          • Gold and Precious Metals
          • High-Yield Investment Products
          • Oil and Gas Drilling Programs
          • Ponzi or Pyramid Schemes
          • Private Placement Offerings
          • Promissory Notes
          • Self-Directed IRA Fraud
          • Tips to Avoid Fraud
          • Upcoming Events
          • Report Fraud
    • Other Types of Scams
          • Medicare Scams
          • Consumer Scams
          • Tips to Avoid Fraud
          • Medicare Scams
          • Enrollment Scams
          • False Billing
          • Medicare Mail Fraud
          • Medicare Number Theft
          • Consumer Scams
          • Craigslist & Ebay Scams
          • Charity Scams
          • Computer Tech Scams
          • Counterfeit Check Scams
          • Grandparent Scams
          • Home Repair Scams
          • Identity Theft
          • IRS Scam Calls
          • Lottery & Sweepstakes Scams
          • Mortgage Rescue Scams
          • Sweetheart Scams & Internet Dating
          • Telemarketing Scams
          • Work-at-Home Scams
          • Tips to Avoid Fraud
          • Upcoming Events
          • Report Fraud
    • Senior Caregivers
    • Report Fraud
    • Contact Us
    MENUMENU
    • About Fraud Fighters
      • Attend a Fraud Fighters Event
    • Investment Scams
          • Affinity Fraud
          • Free Dinner Seminar
          • Gold and Precious Metals
          • High-Yield Investment Products
          • Oil and Gas Drilling Programs
          • Ponzi or Pyramid Schemes
          • Private Placement Offerings
          • Promissory Notes
          • Self-Directed IRA Fraud
          • Tips to Avoid Fraud
          • Upcoming Events
          • Report Fraud
    • Other Types of Scams
          • Medicare Scams
          • Consumer Scams
          • Tips to Avoid Fraud
          • Medicare Scams
          • Enrollment Scams
          • False Billing
          • Medicare Mail Fraud
          • Medicare Number Theft
          • Consumer Scams
          • Craigslist & Ebay Scams
          • Charity Scams
          • Computer Tech Scams
          • Counterfeit Check Scams
          • Grandparent Scams
          • Home Repair Scams
          • Identity Theft
          • IRS Scam Calls
          • Lottery & Sweepstakes Scams
          • Mortgage Rescue Scams
          • Sweetheart Scams & Internet Dating
          • Telemarketing Scams
          • Work-at-Home Scams
          • Tips to Avoid Fraud
          • Upcoming Events
          • Report Fraud
    • Senior Caregivers
    • Report Fraud
    • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Consumer Connection: Older Americans Month

Blog

04 May

Consumer Connection: Older Americans Month

  • By Iowa Fraud Fighters
  • In Blog
Sonya Sellmeyer

By Sonya Sellmeyer, Consumer Advocacy Officer for the Iowa Insurance Division

May is Older Americans Month.  We can all celebrate by helping ensure the older Americans in our lives know how to protect themselves from being the target of scams.The Iowa Insurance Division often holds Fraud Fighter events around the state to educate older Iowans about investment and other types of scams.  We partner with agencies like the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office to cover as many scams as possible.  At the end of each event, all attendees are deputized as “Fraud Fighters”.  Now more than ever we need to be Fraud Fighters to protect all Iowans and shield our savings.

Most of the recent COVID-19 scams are recycled and wrapped in a current event package that preys on our fears and emotions. Scammers are still using the same methods – robocalls, text messages, email, or even a knock at the door.  For everyone’s protection remember these Fraud Fighter basics:

  • Don’t answer your phone if you don’t know the number calling you.

  • Don’t click on any links in a text message or email if you don’t know the sender, or the message is being sent out of the blue.  Use caution even if you do know the sender.

  • Don’t provide personal information over the phone, via text, or email.

  • Be cautious of anyone at your door attempting to sell you something.  You may be putting your health and financial wellness at risk.

  • Don’t pay in advance for stimulus money, information about aid programs or investments in the latest miracle cure – it doesn’t exist.

  • Be cautious of any investment tied to the threat of COVID-19.

  • Don’t use gift cards for payment.   Anyone who demands payment by gift card is running a scam.

  • Stop immediately and alert officials if a person is threatening blackmail.

  • Beware of investment opportunities not tied to the stock market such as gold, silver, coins, and other commodities.

  • Be cautious of investment scams touting guaranteed returns which can be used to pay for rent, food, or other expenses.

  • Research any investment recommendations that encourage you to liquidate investments.  Another financial product with higher returns may incur higher fees or additional risk.

IowaFraudFighters.gov is a resource to learn about recent scams being seen in Iowa that currently include investment, technology, lottery, IRS, and romance scams, to name a few.  Remember if someone is playing to your emotions, or trying to get you to navigate off your financial course, talk to someone you trust before acting on those emotions.  Double-check before you invest to make sure the product and the person selling it are properly licensed and understand what you are purchasing.  Always remember if it sounds too good to be true it is!

Acknowledge the older Americans in your life during May by reaching out and checking in during this challenging time, and ensure all older Americans know the Fraud Fighter basics.

###

  • Share:
Iowa Fraud Fighters

You may also like

Prevent Medicare fraud by creating an account

Medicare Fraud Prevention: The Benefits of Creating a Medicare.gov Account

  • August 18, 2022
  • by Iowa Fraud Fighters
  • in Blog
Checking health care statements is a great way to detect suspected Medicare fraud, errors or abuse. Persons with Original...
investment offers legit or a scam
Investment Offers: The Pressure Is On
August 18, 2022
The Impact of Medicare Fraud
The Impact of Medicare Fraud: Your Wealth & Your Mental Health
July 14, 2022
Protect your identity
Maintain Your Independence. Protect Your Identity.
July 14, 2022

Events Calendar

Loading view.
  • There are no upcoming events.
  • August 2022

Calendar of Events

S Sun

M Mon

T Tue

W Wed

T Thu

F Fri

S Sat

0 events, 31

0 events, 1

0 events, 2

0 events, 3

0 events, 4

0 events, 5

0 events, 6

0 events, 7

0 events, 8

0 events, 9

0 events, 10

0 events, 11

0 events, 12

0 events, 13

0 events, 14

0 events, 15

0 events, 16

0 events, 17

0 events, 18

0 events, 19

0 events, 20

0 events, 21

0 events, 22

0 events, 23

0 events, 24

0 events, 25

0 events, 26

0 events, 27

0 events, 28

0 events, 29

0 events, 30

0 events, 31

0 events, 1

0 events, 2

0 events, 3

  • There are no upcoming events.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
View Calendar
Iowa Insurance Division
1963 Bell Avenue, Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50315
  • Phone: 515.654.6600
  • Toll Free (within Iowa): 877.955.1212
  • TTY: 1.800.735.2942
  • Fax: 515.654.6500
RSVP & Trainers

Copyright @ 2022 Iowa Fraud Fighters | All Rights Reserved

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy