TOTALLY GEEKED!

Playing Bingo is a pastime, like you say. Now if you grandpa sold off land to pay the scammers, you'd be fine with it?

NAOW wrote:

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Playing Bingo is a pastime, like you say. Now if you grandpa sold off land to pay the scammers, you'd be fine with it?

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 Yeah.  HUGE difference between supporting the local catholic diocese and investing with Bernie madoff.

huskerbb wrote:

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NAOW wrote:

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Playing Bingo is a pastime, like you say. Now if you grandpa sold off land to pay the scammers, you'd be fine with it?

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 Yeah.  HUGE difference between supporting the local catholic diocese and investing with Bernie madoff.

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 Plenty of perfectly sane, competent, and intelligent people invested with Bernie Madoff.

NAOW wrote:

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Playing Bingo is a pastime, like you say. Now if you grandpa sold off land to pay the scammers, you'd be fine with it?

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 Do you understand how much money was spent? 

I'm talking a several hundred thousand dollars. 

So in the end, did it matter? He could have been throwing it off buildings.

It was his.

huskerbb wrote:

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NAOW wrote:

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Playing Bingo is a pastime, like you say. Now if you grandpa sold off land to pay the scammers, you'd be fine with it?

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 Yeah.  HUGE difference between supporting the local catholic diocese and investing with Bernie madoff.

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 Huh?

No. No church benefited from it.

 

huskerbb wrote:

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Lawyerlady wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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NAOW wrote:

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Playing Bingo is a pastime, like you say. Now if you grandpa sold off land to pay the scammers, you'd be fine with it?

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 Yeah.  HUGE difference between supporting the local catholic diocese and investing with Bernie madoff.

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 Plenty of perfectly sane, competent, and intelligent people invested with Bernie Madoff.

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 LOL!!!!  And that is a good thing?  How'd that turn out for them?  Don't you think they'd undo that if they could?  Thank you for making my point.

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 No, husker, the point is that adults have the right to make mistakes with their own money.  It does not mean you get to take over their affairs because they make mistakes.

lilyofcourse wrote:

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NAOW wrote:

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Playing Bingo is a pastime, like you say. Now if you grandpa sold off land to pay the scammers, you'd be fine with it?

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 Do you understand how much money was spent? 

I'm talking a several hundred thousand dollars. 

So in the end, did it matter? He could have been throwing it off buildings.

It was his.

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 Yes, I do. Several hundred thousand dollars spending time doing something that he loves (and apparently with someone that he loves) VS. several hundred thousand dollars given to a criminal. 

 

huskerbb wrote:

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Lawyerlady wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Lawyerlady wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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NAOW wrote:

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Playing Bingo is a pastime, like you say. Now if you grandpa sold off land to pay the scammers, you'd be fine with it?

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 Yeah.  HUGE difference between supporting the local catholic diocese and investing with Bernie madoff.

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 Plenty of perfectly sane, competent, and intelligent people invested with Bernie Madoff.

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 LOL!!!!  And that is a good thing?  How'd that turn out for them?  Don't you think they'd undo that if they could?  Thank you for making my point.

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 No, husker, the point is that adults have the right to make mistakes with their own money.  It does not mean you get to take over their affairs because they make mistakes.

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 I would do it BEFORE they made the mistake. Nip it in the bud now before something bad happens.

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 Well, obviously, the woman in the OP doesn't have the same relationship with her kids that yours did with you.  Because she has threatened to disinherit them if they interfere with her money.  Some parents really, really, REALLY don't like it when their kids come in and act all bossy about thier parents' money.

What if a neighbor came in and got them to sign over all their accounts to that neighbor? Leaving them with nothing to live on. You'd all still be fine with that?

huskerbb wrote:

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Lawyerlady wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Lawyerlady wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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The last time my dad wanted to go to a cattle sale and buy calves, mom called me in a panic. I told her there was no way she could let him go at that point. She had to take the checkbook, and my brother had to stand at the front door and keep him from leaving the house until he forgot about it.

If you've never been through it, I hope you never have to--but sometimes you have to act. What if he had lost their retirement?

-- Edited by huskerbb on Monday 27th of July 2015 01:58:37 PM

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 It is much different when a spouse does it vs. kids.

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 No Isn't.  It's one of the hardest things we ever had to do.

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 I realize you went through a very difficult thing, but that doesn't mean your answer applies to everyone.  Parents' money does not belong to their children, no matter how much they think it should.

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 It doesn't matter whose it is.  Who is going to care for them if they lose it all?  Children have a duty to see that doesn't happen.

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 YOUR duty is to YOUR children.  Your parents' duty was toward you.  You are not responsible for your adult parent's choices.  Yes, of course, you want to step in and protect your parents.  But, if they are intent to spend themselves into the poor house, you are not on the hook for their irresponsibility nor should you be.

  I do agree there are things you can do.  Talk to them.  Open a PO box.  Contact their doctor and discuss that you think their mental faculties are failing and so forth.

Ohfour wrote:

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It also says that she has more money than she can spend in her lifetime...what do they care?

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 At the rate she's spending it.  If you'll fall for small scams, you'll fall for big ones.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

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After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
2 Corinthians 12:14

My mom went on a spending spree after my dad died. Just buying a lot of junk at Walmart, etc. Finally, I told her that if she runs out of money, she is going to have to move in with ME and the kids and share a bedroom with DD. I think she got the message, lol.

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I agree with that--but if they spend all their savings and don't have enough to live on, then what?  Would it not be better to PREVENT that from happening?

 

 

Fraud Target: Senior Citizens Our Common Fraud Schemes webpage provides tips on how you can protect you and your family from fraud. Senior Citizens especially should be aware of fraud schemes for the following reasons: ◾Senior citizens are most likely to have a “nest egg,” to own their home, and/or to have excellent credit—all of which make them attractive to con artists. ◾People who grew up in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s were generally raised to be polite and trusting. Con artists exploit these traits, knowing that it is difficult or impossible for these individuals to say “no” or just hang up the telephone. ◾Older Americans are less likely to report a fraud because they don’t know who to report it to, are too ashamed at having been scammed, or don’t know they have been scammed. Elderly victims may not report crimes, for example, because they are concerned that relatives may think the victims no longer have the mental capacity to take care of their own financial affairs. ◾When an elderly victim does report the crime, they often make poor witnesses. Con artists know the effects of age on memory, and they are counting on elderly victims not being able to supply enough detailed information to investigators. In addition, the victims’ realization that they have been swindled may take weeks—or more likely, months—after contact with the fraudster. This extended time frame makes it even more difficult to remember details from the events. ◾Senior citizens are more interested in and susceptible to products promising increased cognitive function, virility, physical conditioning, anti-cancer properties, and so on. In a country where new cures and vaccinations for old diseases have given every American hope for a long and fruitful life, it is not so unbelievable that the con artists’ products can do what they claim. What to Look For and How to Protect Yourself and Your Family Health Care Fraud or Health Insurance Fraud Medical Equipment Fraud: Equipment manufacturers offer “free” products to individuals. Insurers are then charged for products that were not needed and/or may not have been delivered. “Rolling Lab” Schemes: Unnecessary and sometimes fake tests are given to individuals at health clubs, retirement homes, or shopping malls and billed to insurance companies or Medicare. Services Not Performed: Customers or providers bill insurers for services never rendered by changing bills or submitting fake ones. Medicare Fraud: Medicare fraud can take the form of any of the health insurance frauds described above. Senior citizens are frequent targets of Medicare schemes, especially by medical equipment manufacturers who offer seniors free medical products in exchange for their Medicare numbers. Because a physician has to sign a form certifying that equipment or testing is needed before Medicare pays for it, con artists fake signatures or bribe corrupt doctors to sign the forms. Once a signature is in place, the manufacturers bill Medicare for merchandise or service that was not needed or was not ordered. Tips for Avoiding Health Care Fraud or Health Insurance Fraud: ◾Never sign blank insurance claim forms. ◾Never give blanket authorization to a medical provider to bill for services rendered. ◾Ask your medical providers what they will charge and what you will be expected to pay out-of-pocket. ◾Carefully review your insurer’s explanation of the benefits statement. Call your insurer and provider if you have questions. ◾Do not do business with door-to-door or telephone salespeople who tell you that services of medical equipment are free. ◾Give your insurance/Medicare identification only to those who have provided you with medical services. ◾Keep accurate records of all health care appointments. ◾Know if your physician ordered equipment for you. back to top Counterfeit Prescription Drugs Tips for Avoiding Counterfeit Prescription Drugs: ◾Be mindful of appearance. Closely examine the packaging and lot numbers of prescription drugs and be alert to any changes from one prescription to the next. ◾Consult your pharmacist or physician if your prescription drug looks suspicious. ◾Alert your pharmacist and physician immediately if your medication causes adverse side effects or if your condition does not improve. ◾Use caution when purchasing drugs on the Internet. Do not purchase medications from unlicensed online distributors or those who sell medications without a prescription. Reputable online pharmacies will have a seal of approval called the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site (VIPPS), provided by the Association of Boards of Pharmacy in the United States. ◾Be aware that product promotions or cost reductions and other “special deals” may be associated with counterfeit product promotion. back to top Funeral and Cemetery Fraud Tips for Avoiding Funeral and Cemetery Fraud: ◾Be an informed consumer. Take time to call and shop around before making a purchase. Take a friend with you who may offer some perspective to help make difficult decisions. Funeral homes are required to provide detailed general price lists over the telephone or in writing. ◾Educate yourself fully about caskets before you buy one, and understand that caskets are not required for direct cremations. ◾Understand the difference between funeral home basic fees for professional services and any fees for additional services. ◾Know that embalming rules are governed by state law and that embalming is not legally required for direct cremations. ◾Carefully read all contracts and purchasing agreements before signing and make certain that all of your requirements have been put in writing. ◾Make sure you understand all contract cancellation and refund terms, as well as your portability options for transferring your contract to other funeral homes. ◾Before you consider prepaying, make sure you are well informed. When you do make a plan for yourself, share your specific wishes with those close to you. ◾As a general rule governing all of your interactions as a consumer, do not allow yourself to be pressured into making purchases, signing contracts, or committing funds. These decisions are yours and yours alone. back to top Fraudulent “Anti-Aging” Products Tips for Avoiding Fraudulent “Anti-Aging” Products: ◾If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Watch out for “Secret Formulas” or “Breakthroughs.” ◾Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the product. Find out exactly what it should and should not do for you. ◾Research a product thoroughly before buying it. Call the Better Business Bureau to find out if other people have complained about the product. ◾Be wary of products that claim to cure a wide variety of illnesses—particularly serious ones—that don’t appear to be related. ◾Be aware that testimonials and/or celebrity endorsements are often misleading. ◾Be very careful of products that are marketed as having no side effects. ◾Question products that are advertised as making visits to a physician unnecessary. ◾Always consult your doctor before taking any dietary or nutritional supplement. back to top Telemarketing Fraud If you are age 60 or older—and especially if you are an older woman living alone—you may be a special target of people who sell bogus products and services by telephone. Telemarketing scams often involve offers of free prizes, low-cost vitamins and health care products, and inexpensive vacations. There are warning signs to these scams. If you hear these—or similar—“lines” from a telephone salesperson, just say “no thank you,” and hang up the telephone: ◾“You must act now, or the offer won’t be good.” ◾“You’ve won a free gift, vacation, or prize.” But you have to pay for “postage and handling” or other charges. ◾“You must send money, give a credit card or bank account number, or have a check picked up by courier.” You may hear this before you have had a chance to consider the offer carefully. ◾“You don’t need to check out the company with anyone.” The callers say you do not need to speak to anyone, including your family, lawyer, accountant, local Better Business Bureau, or consumer protection agency. ◾“You don’t need any written information about the company or its references.” ◾“You can’t afford to miss this high-profit, no-risk offer.” Tips for Avoiding Telemarketing Fraud: It’s very difficult to get your money back if you’ve been cheated over the telephone. Before you buy anything by telephone, remember: ◾Don’t buy from an unfamiliar company. Legitimate businesses understand that you want more information about their company and are happy to comply. ◾Always ask for and wait until you receive written material about any offer or charity. If you get brochures about costly investments, ask someone whose financial advice you trust to review them. But, unfortunately, beware—not everything written down is true. ◾Always check out unfamiliar companies with your local consumer protection agency, Better Business Bureau, state attorney general, the National Fraud Information Center, or other watchdog groups. Unfortunately, not all bad businesses can be identified through these organizations. ◾Obtain a salesperson’s name, business identity, telephone number, street address, mailing address, and business license number before you transact business. Some con artists give out false names, telephone numbers, addresses, and business license numbers. Verify the accuracy of these items. ◾Before you give money to a charity or make an investment, find out what percentage of the money is paid in commissions and what percentage actually goes to the charity or investment. ◾Before you send money, ask yourself a simple question. “What guarantee do I really have that this solicitor will use my money in the manner we agreed upon?” ◾Don’t pay in advance for services. Pay services only after they are delivered. ◾Be wary of companies that want to send a messenger to your home to pick up money, claiming it is part of their service to you. In reality, they are taking your money without leaving any trace of who they are or where they can be reached. ◾Always take your time making a decision. Legitimate companies won’t pressure you to make a snap decision. ◾Don’t pay for a “free prize.” If a caller tells you the payment is for taxes, he or she is violating federal law. ◾Before you receive your next sales pitch, decide what your limits are—the kinds of financial information you will and won’t give out on the telephone. ◾Be sure to talk over big investments offered by telephone salespeople with a trusted friend, family member, or financial advisor. It’s never rude to wait and think about an offer. ◾Never respond to an offer you don’t understand thoroughly. ◾Never send money or give out personal information such as credit card numbers and expiration dates, bank account numbers, dates of birth, or social security numbers to unfamiliar companies or unknown persons. ◾Be aware that your personal information is often brokered to telemarketers through third parties. ◾If you have been victimized once, be wary of persons who call offering to help you recover your losses for a fee paid in advance. ◾If you have information about a fraud, report it to state, local, or federal law enforcement agencies. back to top Internet Fraud As web use among senior citizens increases, so does their chances to fall victim to Internet fraud. Internet Fraud includes non-delivery of items ordered online and credit and debit card scams. Please visit the FBI’s Internet Fraud webpage for details about these crimes and tips for protecting yourself from them. back to top Investment Schemes As they plan for retirement, senior citizens may fall victim to investment schemes. These may include advance fee schemes, prime bank note schemes, pyramid schemes, and Nigerian letter fraud schemes. Please visit the Common Fraud Schemes webpage for more information about these crimes and tips for protecting yourself from them. back to top Reverse Mortgage Scams The FBI and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG) urge consumers, especially senior citizens, to be vigilant when seeking reverse mortgage products. Reverse mortgages, also known as home equity conversion mortgages (HECM), have increased more than 1,300 percent between 1999 and 2008, creating significant opportunities for fraud perpetrators. Reverse mortgage scams are engineered by unscrupulous professionals in a multitude of real estate, financial services, and related companies to steal the equity from the property of unsuspecting senior citizens or to use these seniors to unwittingly aid the fraudsters in stealing equity from a flipped property. In many of the reported scams, victim seniors are offered free homes, investment opportunities, and foreclosure or refinance assistance. They are also used as straw buyers in property flipping scams. Seniors are frequently targeted through local churches and investment seminars, as well as television, radio, billboard, and mailer advertisements. A legitimate HECM loan product is insured by the Federal Housing Authority. It enables eligible homeowners to access the equity in their homes by providing funds without incurring a monthly payment. Eligible borrowers must be 62 years or older who occupy their property as their primary residence and who own their property or have a small mortgage balance. See the FBI/HUD Intelligence Bulletin for specific details on HECMs as well as other foreclosure rescue and investment schemes. Tips for Avoiding Reverse Mortgage Scams: ◾Do not respond to unsolicited advertisements. ◾Be suspicious of anyone claiming that you can own a home with no down payment. ◾Do not sign anything that you do not fully understand. ◾Do not accept payment from individuals for a home you did not purchase. ◾Seek out your own reverse mortgage counselor. If you are a victim of this type of fraud and want to file a complaint, please submit information through our electronic tip line or through your local FBI office. You may also file a complaint with HUD-OIG at www.hud.gov/complaints/fraud_waste.cfm or by calling HUD’s hotline at 1-800-347-3735. Additional Resources on Frauds Impacting Seniors: - USA.gov Resources for Seniors - Resources from the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging

We aren't talking nickels and dimes here.  See bolded. 

Sweepstakes Fraud
Senior Citizens Targeted

09/18/14

A North Carolina couple recently pled guilty to running a sweepstakes fraud scheme that targeted elderly Americans, in some cases causing victims to lose their entire life savings.

Jessica and Jason Brown acknowledged in federal court that they operated call centers in Costa Rica that falsely informed U.S. residents—predominantly senior citizens—that they had won a substantial cash prize in a global sweepstakes, but the prize was only redeemable if the “winners” sent money to cover insurance and other fees. From 2004 until 2013, the Browns and their crew fleeced hundreds of elderly Americans out of nearly $900,000.





Don’t Become a Victim


Criminals who prey upon the elderly through sweepstakes fraud and other telemarketing schemes can be extremely convincing, but you can avoid becoming a victim by keeping a few simple guidelines in mind.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency charged with preventing fraud and deceptive practices in the marketplace, offers these common-sense tips:

- Don’t wire money, ever. No government official will ask you to send money in this manner. If you have to pay for a prize, it’s not a prize.

- Never give callers financial or personal information. Don’t give out sensitive information such as your credit card or Social Security number unless you absolutely know who you’re dealing with.

- Don’t trust a name or number. Fraudsters use official-sounding names, like Lloyds of London of Costa Rica, to make you trust them. No matter how convincing their story—or their stationery—they are most likely lying. To make a phone call seem legitimate, scammers use technology to disguise where they are calling from. Even though it may look like they’re dialing from Washington, D.C., they could be anywhere in the world.

- Put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry. This won’t stop fraudsters from calling, but it should make you skeptical of random calls. Most legitimate sales people generally honor the Do Not Call list. Scammers ignore it. Register your phone number at donotcall.gov.

- Report the scam. If you get a call from a government imposter or someone attempting a sweepstakes fraud, file a complaint with the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

- Here’s the bottom line: If someone is pitching something on the phone that doesn’t sound right, you always have the option to just hang up. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

For more information about sweepstakes and telemarketing fraud, visit the FTC website: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0048-government-imposter-scams




“They could make themselves extremely believable over the phone,” said Special Agent Scott Duffey, who investigated the case from our Baltimore Division. “For people on the other end of the line who were even a little bit gullible or desperate for money, the deception could be too much to resist.”

“The victims of these scams are not just people without an education,” noted Pat Donley, a senior litigator with the Department of Justice who has prosecuted many sweepstakes fraud cases. “Some victims have been doctors, others Ph.Ds. They are just taken in.”

Those who carry out these types of telemarketing frauds, including the Browns, use Internet technology and even forged documents to dupe their victims. They also purchase marketing lists—commonly used by lawful telemarketers—so they may know something about their victims, such as credit cards they might possess.

The fraudsters work out of so-called boiler rooms, usually apartments or offices with banks of phones. They might make hundreds of calls before finding one person receptive to their pitch. Typically, the criminals say they are calling on behalf of some reputable insurance company or a U.S. federal agency such as the Federal Trade Commission or the Internal Revenue Service. The imposters say they want to make sure all the taxes are paid on the sweepstakes money so the winner faces no legal or tax issues.

To mask that they were calling from Costa Rica, the Browns used readily available technology that made victims think they were talking to someone from an area code in Washington, D.C. This added a further air of legitimacy to the scheme, since the callers frequently claimed to be representing a U.S. federal agency.

Though initial prizes were usually billed as second-place winnings, the $350,000 to $400,000 figures were still substantial. The victims were told they would have to pay fees and taxes of about 10 percent—between $3,500 and $4,000—and were often directed to send the money via Western Union.

It didn’t stop there. After receiving money, the scammers would contact the victims again and inform them that their prize amount had increased, either because of a clerical error or because another prize winner was disqualified. Of course, the new, larger prize meant more taxes and fees. The attempts to collect more cash would continue until a victim either ran out of money or realized what was going on, Duffey explained. “One Delaware woman was swindled out of more than $300,000—her life savings,” he added.


Donley has seen similar schemes ruin elderly victims financially. “One person in Florida gave up more than $800,000,” he said, “and a woman from California gave up most of her savings that she was going to use to care for her two handicapped children. These criminals are heartless,” he continued. “It’s easy for them to rob people, because they never meet the victims and never see the consequences.”

lilyofcourse wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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lilyofcourse wrote:

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NAOW wrote:

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Playing Bingo is a pastime, like you say. Now if you grandpa sold off land to pay the scammers, you'd be fine with it?

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 Do you understand how much money was spent? 

I'm talking a several hundred thousand dollars. 

So in the end, did it matter? He could have been throwing it off buildings.

It was his.

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 Well, that's foolish.  I never would have allowed that, but if you don't care, then I dont.  Not my relative.

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 It was his money to do with as he pleased.

But according to you, I should have been bothered because it wouldnt be handed down to me.

And just so you know, he had a stroke, while playing bingo, and was bed ridden for the last 5 years of his life. 

His care was paid for and granny was set for the rest of her life.

Still, they had to be incompetent. Right? 

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 QUOTE me where I said anything of the sort.  I did not.  You are a liar. 

Fort Worth Mom wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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lilyofcourse wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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lilyofcourse wrote:

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NAOW wrote:

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Playing Bingo is a pastime, like you say. Now if you grandpa sold off land to pay the scammers, you'd be fine with it?

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 Do you understand how much money was spent? 

I'm talking a several hundred thousand dollars. 

So in the end, did it matter? He could have been throwing it off buildings.

It was his.

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 Well, that's foolish.  I never would have allowed that, but if you don't care, then I dont.  Not my relative.

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 It was his money to do with as he pleased.

But according to you, I should have been bothered because it wouldnt be handed down to me.

And just so you know, he had a stroke, while playing bingo, and was bed ridden for the last 5 years of his life. 

His care was paid for and granny was set for the rest of her life.

Still, they had to be incompetent. Right? 

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 QUOTE me where I said anything of the sort.  I did not.  You are a liar. 

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Lily was asking a question, husker.

And, given your attitude towards the elderly, I can understand why she asked.

You, calling her a liar, is out of line.

Don't go there. 

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No.  It was NOT a question.  She made a statement.  She said "according to you".  That's not a question.

It was a false statement.  Do the math.  

huskerbb wrote:

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Fort Worth Mom wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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lilyofcourse wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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lilyofcourse wrote:

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NAOW wrote:

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Playing Bingo is a pastime, like you say. Now if you grandpa sold off land to pay the scammers, you'd be fine with it?

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 Do you understand how much money was spent? 

I'm talking a several hundred thousand dollars. 

So in the end, did it matter? He could have been throwing it off buildings.

It was his.

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 Well, that's foolish.  I never would have allowed that, but if you don't care, then I dont.  Not my relative.

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 It was his money to do with as he pleased.

But according to you, I should have been bothered because it wouldnt be handed down to me.

And just so you know, he had a stroke, while playing bingo, and was bed ridden for the last 5 years of his life. 

His care was paid for and granny was set for the rest of her life.

Still, they had to be incompetent. Right? 

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 QUOTE me where I said anything of the sort.  I did not.  You are a liar. 

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Lily was asking a question, husker.

And, given your attitude towards the elderly, I can understand why she asked.

You, calling her a liar, is out of line.

Don't go there. 

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No.  It was NOT a question.  She made a statement.  She said "according to you".  That's not a question.

It was a false statement.  Do the math.  

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 She asked a question, husker.

You act like anyone over the age of 70, or so, shouldn't be driving, or handling their own finances.

And, that it's your job, as their child, to take over.

And keep them in line.

Don't call any more names, husker.

You have been warned.

Oh, and if people are getting scammed, they probably do need some help with their finances.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

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I have a hard time believing that Husker is going to allow anyone to tell him how to spend his money.

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Often it isn't about "allowing".  It's about the children stepping up and doing what needs to be done.   

Husked I agree with you. Something's things have to be done. It sucks going commando on your patents but sometimes they need to be protected . Not for bingo of course

huskerbb wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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What if a neighbor came in and got them to sign over all their accounts to that neighbor? Leaving them with nothing to live on. You'd all still be fine with that?

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<crickets chirping> 

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 Whatevs...I already told her she was not living with me...not gonna happen. If she's destitute, so be it...she wants to be stupid, not my problem. 

huskerbb wrote:

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Mary Zombie wrote:

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Husked I agree with you. Something's things have to be done. It sucks going commando on your patents but sometimes they need to be protected . Not for bingo of course

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Oh, I generally agree on the bingo thing.  I don't see how it could add up to that much, anyway.  A card costs like 2 bucks and you can play for an hour--but anyway, it's still not the same as getting scammed.  

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 $2 bingo card comes from church fund raisers.

Most hard core players, I don't know what else to call it, play 10-20 cards a game.

And there are multiple games. Straights, corners, boxes. 

And they play for hours and hours.

The food, gas, and rooms on top of that.

 

Wow. Not wanting a family member to be scammed has nothing to do with wanting their money to be handed down to you. What an awful thing to say. I would have taken offense too, if lily directed that at me.

And stepping in and stopping it does not mean you think all elderly people are incompetent or incapable. But it is a fact that SOME elderly people do need help with their finances and when they start falling for scams that's a good first sign that you need to keep an eye on them, IMO.

My grandma started that way, and now she has full on dementia. I would step in in a heartbeat to stop it- and I am not going to inherit anything from her. No financial gain for me at all. She saved for years for retirement, and I think it would be a shame that she could waste it all just because she didn't remember what she saved for and no one could bother to stop her.

Thanks babe....I have a very close family...