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Guarding Our Greatest Generation

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Retirement represents decades of hard work and dedication. It should be a time for seniors to explore what’s possible and enjoy the life they have built. While we are committed to strengthening communities and protecting our members from fraud, older adults are frequently targeted by fraudsters looking to steal their nest eggs. Let us work together to identify and stop these scams.

 

Real World Scenarios

  • The Grandparent Emergency: A senior receives a frantic phone call from someone pretending to be their grandchild claiming they are in jail and need bail money sent immediately via wire transfer.
  • The Tech Support Trap: A pop up on a computer screen warns of a severe virus and provides a phone number. The fake technician then demands payment to fix a problem that does not exist.
  • The Fake Sweepstakes: A caller congratulates a senior on winning a massive lottery but insists they must first pay taxes or fees upfront to claim the prize.

 

Shielding Their Success

Uplifting people means taking proactive steps to protect their financial health. By staying vigilant, seniors can guard their retirement and their family legacy.

  1. Automate regular bill payments helps them avoid missed payments and reduces the risk of intercepted mail.
  2. Setting up account alerts so a trusted family member is notified of any unusually large withdrawals.
  3. They should verify any urgent requests for money by hanging up and calling your family member directly on a known phone number.

We provide the clarity needed for seniors to navigate these situations with confidence. 💙

 

Closing the Gap on Fraud

Guarding our seniors ensures their hard-earned legacy remains secure from opportunistic fraudsters. By working together, we are strengthening communities and protecting our most vulnerable members. Be sure to stay tuned next month as we discuss how to protect the entire family tree from digital threats.

Protecting our community starts with conversations, whether individuals are sharing helpful safety tips on social media or discussing a recent incident with a neighbor. To keep everyone secure, our focus remains on three key pillars:

  • Avoid Scams: Stay informed to stop fraud before it starts.
  • Report Scams: Share experiences to help officials track and stop criminals.
  • Recover from Scams: Access resources to help you get back on track if you are targeted.

Take action and report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

 

Help Prevent the Scams this May

Do not let a scammer ruin their spring. Seniors and their loved ones should stay vigilant, stay skeptical, and keep personal info private. If anyone sees something suspicious, do not hesitate to reach out. Contact our support team immediately.

  • Freeze their card instantly using the Mirastar Mobile App.
  • Contact Member Support directly at (800) 282-6212 or (408) 282-0700.
  • Report the fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (https://reportfraud.ftc.gov) to help protect the rest of our community.