Doug Monroe's OPENLY OLD

Elder Scams

Tax week is a big time for Elder Scams. They have my number. They entice me. I’ve had my identify stolen twice, once not long ago by a bogus company masquerading as a legitimate malware protector for my laptop. They started sending charges to my bank, which quickly identified the fraud and stopped it. But I had to get a new card, which was inconvenient.

There are a growing number of sneaky bastards out there. They are smooth and forceful talkers as they try to set you up. Most of the scam artists I’ve dealt with are male. But there are some tricky women out there, too.

Like this one:

Real Housewife Scammer

Jen Shah, the semi-famous star of “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” got out of prison a few months back for her part in a telemarketing scheme that defrauded older and financially vulnerable people. She is now under home confinement. I bet it’s a nice home, even though it’s in Utah.

Jen targeted thousands of elder victims thought the sale of so-called business services tied to online ventures. Prosecutors said those services were of little or no value. The scheme grew out of “lead lists,” collections of potential aging suckers whose information was bought and sold among telemarketing sales floors. Callers would hound the old people until they caved.

The scam reminded me of the great action movie, “The Beekeeper,” staring Jason Statham, who plays a retired secret agent whose friend loses her life savings to scam artists. Jason finds the scammers and sets their office on fire and then follows the trail to the top. Two thumbs up!

But I digress.

Jen Shah served nearly three years at a federal prison camp, the same “Club Fed” camp where Jeffrey Epstein’s associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted child sex trafficker, is incarcerated. Jen complained that Ghislaine was treated better than other prisoners and showed no remorse for the Epstein victims.

Regarding her scam, Jen told People Magazine that she “made wrong decisions.” She was ordered to pay more than $6 million in restitution, which is world-class scamming.

She even said she was “sorry.”

But, as we all know, “sorry don’t git it,” as Addie Pray said in “Paper Moon.”

Jen Shah is looking to get back on TV. I bet she makes it. They could have a new show: “Real Housewives of Club Fed.”

The Lonely are Vulnerable

Many old people are so lonely that they become overjoyed when the phone rings and they find a friendly salesperson on the line making them feel loved. The scammers hover over senior Americans like vultures.

Sad.

My rule of thumb is DON’T ANSWER YOUR DAMN PHONE if you don’t recognize the number. Let it go to voicemail, for God’s sake.

Warnings from Clark Howard

One of my heroes is Atlanta’s money expert Clark Howard, who dishes out all sorts of excellent financial advice. He has the same rule about not answering the phone if you don’t recognize the number.

Clark says older Americans lost at least $2.4 billion to fraud in 2024, according to a Federal Trade Commission report, “Protecting Older Consumers 2024-2025.” And he says that’s likely just the tip of the iceberg because most scams go unreported.

“Criminals are getting more sophisticated, more convincing, and more relentless,” says Team Clark.

Here is Clark’s breakdown:

1. Investment Scams: $744 million in losses. Clark recommends the “Guide for Seniors” from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

2. Business Imposter Scams: $377 million in losses.

3. Government Imposter Scams: $375 million in losses.

4. Romance Scams: $329 million in losses. Lonely old people looking for relationships can be easy prey to smooth-talking scammers. I mean, get real people. The telltale sign is when the virtual lover says, “I need money, honey.”

5. Tech Support: $159 million in losses.

6. Prizes, sweepstakes, and lotteries: $145 million in losses. D’oh. If you are asked to pay a fee to collect your winnings, don’t.

7. Online Shopping: $49 million in losses. Fake websites galore.

8. Vacation and travel: $35 million in losses. Fake toll notices. When booking travel with a third-party site, Google the company name and “scam” to see what pops up.

9. Fake Check Scams: $34 million in losses.

10. Family and friend imposters: $33 million in losses. Fake kidnapping schemes. Never divulge information to the scammers.

Clark and team emphasize the importance of not giving information to any person or source you don’t know and trust. Double-check the identity of anyone requesting money, especially if they claim to be from the government, a tech company, or a familiar organization.

You can sign up to get free daily newsletters emails from Clark and his team at Clark.com.

You can also get helpful information to avoid scams from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360. You can also go to the AARP website.

My “Openly Old” Substack Newsletter is intended to be humorous, helpful, and horrifying. If you enjoy it, please consider subscribing, either for free or paying a mere $5 per month. Now pay those taxes!

.