How seniors can avoid phone scams
Jun. 12—POTTSVILLE — Phone scam predators continue to target senior citizens, not only in Schuylkill County but throughout the country.
Pottsville Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said the reality is that there exists a prevalent practice of criminals targeting the elderly by telephone because they are viewed as easier targets.
The chief said seniors tend to be more likely to use a landline telephone, are generally more caring and trusting, and more easily reached during the day, when other family members are at work or school.
Wojciechowsky said that the chances of a call from someone you don't know are much more likely to be a scam than any type of legitimate call.
He said that in Schuylkill County, scammers "spoof" numbers to look familiar, including with the 570 area code; landline phone number prefixes like 622 and 366; and cellphone prefixes like 527 and 640.
The only numbers a person can trust are the numbers that a person has called themselves.
Wojciechowsky stressed the following to avoid being victimized by such scams:
—Never give out Social Security or credit card numbers, bank account information, passwords or information on prepaid debit/credit cards.
—Never purchase and supply callers with gift cards or prepaid debit/credit cards.
—Never follow directions to allow the caller remote access to your electronic device such as phone, computer or tablet by installing an app such as "ANY DESK" or installing a program supplied by the caller.
Among the most common scams, according to the chief, are that a relative has been injured or arrested and needs money; that account payments for credit cards or utilities are past due; that remote computer repairs are available or needed; and calls purporting to be from the Internal Revenue Service.
Wojciechowsky said that everyone should always verify calls before speaking by using an answering machine that provides only the number the caller has reached.
Elderly residents should tell their relatives and friends that they will be screening their calls and that they should speak to you through the answering machine and then you will either pick up or call back.
Residents should verify any call from a caller claiming that money is owed by looking up the correct contact number for the company or utility and either calling that number back or having a trusted relative make the call.he chief also urges any resident having issues with such calls to contact their local law enforcement agency for assistance.
"Prove them wrong; you're not an easy target," Wojciechowsky said.
