Speakers Share Tips on Fraud, Long-term Care, Medicare

By Aliya S. King

For Lillie Hudson, warning older people about how to spot and avoid fraud is a responsibility she takes very seriously.

“It’s one of the most fulfilling things I can do,” said Hudson, 74, of Ewing. “Because there are just so many ways to be tricked into a dangerous situation.”

Today’s scammers are exceptionally sophisticated and know how to use emotional triggers that can persuade people to do things they think they’d never do, like reveal their Social Security number or pay money for nonexistent fines.

Hudson is a volunteer with AARP New Jersey’s Speakers Bureau, which offers presentations on topics such as the basics of Medicare, planning for long-term care and avoiding fraud.

When Hudson lost her brother after his battle with cancer in 1993, she knew she wanted to continue as a caretaker in some way. She started as an advocate with CASA, New Jersey’s Court Appointed Special Advocates, who work with children removed from their home because of abuse or neglect. At a CASA event in Trenton a year later, Hudson met an area representative for AARP. “I’ve been volunteering with AARP ever since,” said Hudson.

In addition to giving presentations throughout the state, Hudson helps train new volunteers and develop potential topics for the speakers.

“Each year a committee of three comes up with topics,” Hudson said. “We ask our other volunteers for ideas, and then we make sure it’s something that affects seniors. For example, we’ve been asked to look into speeches on financial planning and savings, and caring for caregivers.”

But by far, fraud safety is the most popular presentation.

“There’s at least one new scam happening every single week,” Hudson said. “Our seniors need to be aware and on alert. And it’s not just the older seniors, some of whom may have some dementia and be particularly at risk. It’s not about age or intelligence—we can all be preyed upon.”

Lavelle Jones, another Speakers Bureau volunteer, also looks forward to giving fraud-alert presentations.

One of the scams discussed involves a caller claiming to be from a municipal court, who says the target has missed jury duty and faces arrest and jail time unless he or she makes payment over the phone, Jones said.

“If we just think about it, most of us realize that jury duty communications will always be sent by mail,” said Jones, 62, of West New York. “But the fear in that moment is what scammers bet on.”

With so many schemes, the presentation on fraud could become an all-day course. Hudson makes sure it’s not too much to take in.

“We try not to make the speeches so detailed that it’s too mind-boggling. We give a resource sheet, and it’s designed to make you know where to get more information,” Hudson said. “You’re not supposed to learn everything you need to know in one day.”


Reverse mortgages
The Speakers Bureau expects that reverse mortgages—in which people put up their home equity for a loan—will be another hot topic.

“There are some basic things that need to be worked out before applying for a reverse mortgage,” Hudson said. “If a senior is single and has no children, it’s a much more feasible option. This new speech will explain why. We’re sure this presentation will become very popular.”

Speakers can be booked for free. They go to senior citizen apartment buildings, senior centers and organizations that cater to those 50-plus. The speakers are interested in presenting to senior members of sororities and fraternities, as well.

“We’re not limited to any type of organization,” Hudson said. “As long as the group is nonpartisan, meets our age range of 50-plus and has an audience of at least 35 people, we’ll be there.”

To learn more about the Speakers Bureau, email aarpnj@aarp.org.

Aliya S. King is a writer living in Bloomfield, N.J.