Advance-Fee Loans
Some companies promise you a loan or credit card regardless of your credit history. But they want you to pay a “processing” or other fee first. Those are scams. Learn the telltale signs.
Avoiding Living Trust Scams: A Quick Guide for Advocates
Dishonest living trust salespeople prey on seniors' fears that after their deaths, their life savings and assets will be stolen by the government or by predatory probate attorneys. These salespeople use high-pressure tactics and deceptive claims to coerce vulnerable seniors into buying a product that many of them don't need. Seniors are bombarded with advertisements, phone calls, and pitches from door-to-door salespeople insisting that living trusts work best for everyone. This may be true for some. For others, buying a living trust is simply a waste of limited resources.
Avoiding Retirement Fraud
Retirees are often the target of fraud. However, with some basic understanding of how scam artists work, you can avoid fraud and protect your hard-earned money. Learning how to invest safely can mean a huge difference in your retirement years.
Home Improvement Scams Alert
Many low-income elderly homeowners are targeted by scam artists who use high pressure tactics to sell unneeded and overpriced contracts for "home improvements." Often these scam artists charge more than their quoted prices or their work does not live up to their promises. When the senior refuses to pay for shoddy or incomplete work, the contractor or an affiliated lender threatens foreclosure on the senior's home.
Random Text? Wait, Wait, Don't Click That! It Could be a Scam.
Don't click on a link in a text message you get on your phone that says you've won a prize or a gift card. Don't reply either, it's probably a scam.
Helping Elderly Homeowners Victimized by Predatory Mortgage Loans
Equity-rich, cash poor elderly homeowners are an attractive target for unscrupulous mortgage lenders. Many elderly homeowners are on fixed or limited incomes, yet need access to credit to pay for home repairs, medical care, property or municipal taxes, and other expenses. The equity they have amassed in their home may be their primary or only financial asset. Predatory lenders seek to capitalize on elders' need for cash by offering "easy" credit and loans packed with high interest rates, excessive fees and costs, credit insurance, balloon payments and other outrageous terms.
FTC Website - Investments
This web site contains information about investments and investment scams to watch out for. These scams can be: Investment Coaching Scams, Real Estate Investment Seminar Scams, Precious Metals and Coins Investment Scams, How to Avoid Investment Scams, How to Research Investment Opportunities, Where to Report Investment Scams.
FTC Web - Weighing the Claims in Diet Ads
Unfortunately, claims that you can lose weight without changing your habits just aren’t true, and some of these products could even hurt your health. Learn to recognize false claims in weight loss ads and false online stories about weight loss products.
