Tag: senior scams

  • Beware of Scams While Shopping Online

    Holiday shopping has shifted dramatically from in-person to online in recent years. Although this change gives us new opportunities for finding unique gifts while supporting small businesses — it also comes with risks. With 33.2 million small businesses now able to showcase their products online, you have infinite options at your fingertips. However, the rise…

  • Preventing & Reporting Healthcare Fraud

    Prevention education is the best defense in the fight against healthcare fraud and abuse. When there is malicious intent to commit fraud, the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) gets involved and works with state and federal partners to report cases for investigation.

  • Esther Chan: Cybercrime Fighter

    Esther Chan: Cybercrime Fighter

    She may not wear a mask or a cape, but in the eyes of Hawai‘i’s kūpuna, Esther Chan is their very own superhero as she continues her battle against online crime in cyberspace — one workshop at a time — wielding only her mighty curriculum and stalwart spirit. If criminals stole money from your dear…

  • Buyer Beware

    During Sam C. Dobbs’ time, the early 20th-century, advertising promised consumers various outcomes; however, the claims weren’t based on any facts. This inspired him as the head of Coca-Cola to create a group of businesses to monitor each other’s advertising. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) began. Fast forward to 2023. If you have used gaming…

  • Help Protect Our Kūpuna Against Crime

    Every year, Hawai‘i residents are swindled out of money through many forms of crime. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that 2.4 billion robocalls made every month. Over 3,500,000 older adults are swindled out of nearly $5 billion in personal savings each year. The average loss is $34,200-plus for every senior who falls victim to a…

  • Continue Vigilance While Protecting Kūpuna

    Kūpuna are the most vulnerable to online  scams due to social isolation during the pandemic. We must stay vigilant, as  scammers use more sophisticated ways to steal your personal identity, shame you of your self-worth and steal your life’s legacy. Here are some important tips to avoid becoming a victim…

  • ‘No Mom, I’m Not in Jail’

    I recently received a telephone call from my mother. Given that I was in a meeting, I didn’t answer it, but instead let it go to voicemail. Almost immediately, the phone started buzzing again from her same number. Usually, my mom would just leave a message, so this second call was very unusual. I excused…

  • It Takes Our Entire State to Protect Kūpuna

    We’re home, still feeling isolated during the pandemic. The phone rings; a welcomed sound. We look forward to hearing from a family member or friend — a warm voice to spend time with. We answer the phone, and minutes later, our whole life is turned upside down. Does this sound familiar? Too often, unfortunately, many…

  • Staying Safe When Using Social Media

    Social media is a great way for all of us to keep in touch with family and friends, and our kūpuna are no exception. The use of social media among senior citizens has been a growing trend. However, social media presents some extra  risks for older people.

  • Save Yourself From Sympathy Scams

    In a sympathy scam, a con artist plays on the victims’ emotions in order to extract money from them. Typically, you see a lot of these scams stemming from a tragedy that is highly publicized.