The Carroll County, Maryland, TRIAD is an organization dedicated to helping senior citizens avoid the scams that are lurking everywhere. TRIAD consists of police department members, AARP, and concerned seniors. We meet once a month at the Westminster, Maryland Senior Activities Center, where we discuss current scams and how to avoid and interact with them in case they do occur.
In this blog, we will discuss scams and crimes in general, in the hope that seniors, as well as law enforcement, can relate these activities to their own lives and help them avoid problems in the future.
01. E-CARDS. Watch out for E-Cards. Reading one might install malicious software in your computer. Don't open an E-Card from someone you don't know.. or from an unnamed person.
02. ELDERLAW radio: Visit www.elderlawanswers.com for all kinds of helpful information for senior citizens.
03. Flight Insurance: Be careful, flight insurance may not be worth buying because the price is extremely high, and flying is now quite safe.
04. Speed limit: Since the speed limit was raised from 55 mph in 1995, 12,000 additional deaths have been reported on the highways.
05. New Credit Card Rules: New credit card rules took effect on February 22nd. The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act is a big step towards helping to reduce the amount of interest consumers pay. However, the credit card company may find new and innovative ways to make money in spite of the restrictions. So, make sure you read the fine print!
06. Stents. Maryland lawmakers are checking the records of one of Baltimore's famous hospitals as part of an investigation into the possibility that over 300 patients may have been given unnecessary heart stents.
07. Pot smoking. The use of marijuana is up among seniors, supposedly to relieve pain.
08. Rev Ike: Reverend Ike died a few months ago. You might remember him from his TV shows that were great entertainment. His catch phrase was "I got what it takes, to take what you got!"
09. Texting. Sixteen states have now passed anti-texting while driving laws.
10. Cult practices. Members of a cult are on trial in Baltimore for the starvation death of a 16 month old child who did not say "amen" before a meal when he was 1 year old!
A plea deal was effectuated by the child's mother, part of which was that if the child came back to life, her guilty plea would be vacated.
11. Forgery. A DC lobbying firm for the coal industry was zapped for sending out forged letters from organizations, in which opposition to climate change legiislation was urged of Congressmen.
12. ATM's.Watch out for rogue ATM machines.. machines that look like legitimate ATM's, but which steal card numbers and PINs.
13. Sports Betting. It has been reported that over five billion dollars was wagered legally and illegally on the Superbowl.
14. Senior Betting.In New York state, daily card games at a senior center were raided because the seniors were betting dimes and quarters.
This happened a few years ago in Carroll County, Maryland.. and the outrage was so loud that the Maryland legislature passed a law to allow senior betting for money in senior centers.
15. Language. In Slovakia, one may go to jail if one speaks other thatn the Slovak language in government offices or businesses.
16. Autistic hacker. The US is deciding whether to jail an autistic hacker, who hacked into Pentagon and NASA computers.
17. Peepers. Police have warned people not to display holiday gifts in front of bay windows, or put gift wrapped boxes out to the street, because thieves might take advantage and break into your house.
18. Credit Reports. They are at it again, soliciting money to get you credit reports. Watch out.. credit reports are now free.. also, if you sign up with these companies, you will get an annual fee taken out of your credit card account.
To get a true free credit report, go to www.annualcreditreport.com
19. Medicare Fraud. People are still trying to defraud Medicare. Reports are submiitted for non-existant medical problems and services not given. In addition, multiple billings are submitted.
Elaine has had a problem with doctors submitting bills to her even when the report from Blue Cross says they are not entitled to more than was given them by insurance. Don't be scared by bills that you don't feel you should have to pay. Report the biller to the insurance company or to the Medicare Fraud office.
20. Bags. Plastic bags have now been outlawed in San Francisco and DC has passed a law that requires customers to pay five cents for each plastic bag that they use.
21. Unwanted checks. I see a headline in the paper that says "Australia is fighting terrorism with tough visa checks." and this reminds me that credit card companies continue to send out tantalizing checks to their clients. The checks can be used like cash and the amount of the checks is added to your credit card bill. You do not have to get these checks! Contact the company and tell them you do not want to get them anymore. Usually this will work.
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