New Scam Hits Arizona, Targets Elderly Citizens

Scammers are getting better. I remember when you would get an email from a Nigerian prince looking to give away his fortune, and could easily write it off as a way to steal your hard earned cash.

These days, scam artists know what we know, and they work to ensure you'll never be able to tell they're a phony.

Elderly residents are their first hit.

"Winning a Million Dollars"

Earlier this year, 89 year old Phoenix resident Tillie received a phone call. The man on the other end told her that, because of her charitable donations to certain organizations, she had placed second in a national sweepstakes hosted by American Dream.

Her prize? A million dollars.

She was told that she'd receive a check for $750,000 (tax had already been taken out), but she had to pay $1,000 in court fees to ensure the lawyers could get her the check.  She was a bit wary, but noted that the voice on the other line was never demanding or acting off, so she believed them.

Get our free mobile app

Staying Safe From New Scams

Luckily, Tillie had the sense to know something was wrong, so she reached out to fact checkers at a local news source, who were able to determine that the American Dream Sweepstakes was not legitimate. This won't be the case for everyone, however, so here's some tips to recognize scam artists.

Phone Number is Odd: If you notice a weird, and I mean weird number calling you (ex. +453627356) don't answer. The same goes for calls from states you may have little connection to. Many scammers will use Washington D.C. area codes to give the illusion they are calling from the government. Be wary.

Pay to Win: This is textbook stuff, but still needs to be said. No one, and I mean no one is going to ask you to pay them a small sum for a large sum of money. How could that be profitable?

Asking for Bank Info: Lastly, many of these scammers will attempt to get your banking info as opposed to straight cash, but once again, nobody legitimate is going to expect you to provide that information to "confirm your identity". They know who they're calling!

If you receive a call from a number that you do not recognize, think critically before disclosing any information, and stay safe!

[ABC15]