Iowa Scam Alert: Money-Wire Scheme Calls Reported in Lee County

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Thanks to Iowa's Senior Medicare Patrol Program local coordinator Sonita Oldfield-Carlson for alerting us that scammers are working in Southeast Iowa today.  Please be on alert and if you receive any suspicious calls or offers, report it to Iowa Senior Medicare Patrol or the AARP Fraud Watch Network, by calling 1-877-908-3360 toll-free share your story and receive assistance from our call center volunteers.

The Adult Rights Specialist at Milestones Area Agency on Aging received a call today from a bank in Lee County about a potential victimization of a Senior being asked to participate in a money-wire scheme which also involves meeting the perpetrator at the local Wal-Mart. Local law enforcement have been alerted, but please keep watch for any similar activity in your community, or reported to you by the Seniors you work with. It appears this situation also involves phone communication between the scammer and the victim.

Please remind your Seniors (and remember for yourself) these safety tips:
1) NEVER be pressured to make fast decisions, or trust someone who intimidates you;
2) Just hang up: It’s shrewd to be rude on the phone. If you don’t know the caller don’t even engage in friendly small talk—a friendly scammer is trying to catch you off guard to trick you into sharing information that can be used to hurt you.
3) Never provide personal information (bank account, ID numbers, address, date-of-birth) to people you don’t know or trust, on the phone or in-person;
4) Never send money by wire transfer or prepaid card to someone you don’t know/haven’t met, OR in an emergency unless you can verify the situation with a trusted family member or friend;
5) Remember: foreign lotteries are illegal and you can’t win a contest you didn’t enter.
6) Tell someone! Report concerns to local law enforcement, trusted family or friends, Iowa Senior Medicare Patrol.

Signs of a Phone Scam include:
• Exclusive offer(s) selected just for you;
• You’ve won a valuable prize, big money, a foreign lottery;
• Limited Time offer—you have to decide now;
• Only pay shipping /handling/processing to claim your prize;
• A select investment offer that gives a higher return on your money than any other.

Protect yourself and report fraud. If you’d like a trained volunteer to educate your group about ID theft or Medicare errors, fraud, and abuse, please contact me.
Yours,
Sonita Oldfield-Carlson
Local Coordinator
Senior Medicare Patrol Program
MILESTONES - Area Agency on Aging
TOLL FREE: 1-855-410-MAAA (6222)
935 E 53rd St - Davenport, IA 52807 PH:563-324-9085 ext 7209, Fax 563-324-9384