Scambusters!
More than 60 Ways Seniors Get Swindled and How They Can Prevent It
-
- $6.99
-
- $6.99
Publisher Description
Scambusters! is a working manual senior citizens can use to defend themselves against the most common scams aimed at the elderly. It provides readers with a comprehensive approach to identifying scams in the making, and shows them specific prevention tools and how to use them.
Inside, you'll find step-by-step instructions, helpful anecdotes, and references to dozens of consumer organizationals and government agencies devoted to thwarting swindlers. Weather buying mutual funds, repairing a car, purchasing drugs from online pharmacies, or taking out loans on your home, Scambusters! will protect seniors when they need it.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
From health care shams to identity theft, Smith provides smart, straightforward ways to keep from being swindled, aimed at seniors but applicable to anyone. Smith, a business author in his early 70s, notes that because seniors make up the fastest growing demographic, and are generally perceived to be wealthy, "seniors are a major target for con artists." The scams included run a wide gambit, from overcharging to identity theft to "lonely hearts" con men to work-at-home schemes. One of the biggest areas where seniors are vulnerable is in health care, and he includes a hefty chapter of health-related topics, including health clubs, living wills, medicare fraud, nursing homes, medical breakthroughs and prescription drug plans. Each scam profile includes an explanation of the scam, how to spot it and how to prevent it. He also uses real-life case studies to demonstrate how scams are pulled off, not only by con men but by telephone companies, web sites and investment advisors. "Awareness is the first line of defense against scams," he writes in the preface, and this easy-to-read reference provides some powerful illumination.
