Desert Messenger

January 20, 2021 www.DesertMessenger.com 29 To Donate or for more information visit QUARTZSITEFOODBANK.COM Click on "Donate" Single Can Donate Up To $400 Couples Can Donate Up To $800 DONATE to the Quartzsite Food Bank Instead of Paying Your AZ State Taxes Donate and Receive DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR OFF What You Owe of Your AZ Taxes! The next Desert Singles Meeting is Friday January 29, at 10 AM in the dining hall at the Quartzsite Improvement Association (QIA.) Make new friends and enjoy lots of activities. All singles are welcome. The QIA is located at 235 E. Ironwood St., Quartzsite. Desert Singles meet Desert Singles enjoy a breakfast cookout at the foot of Q Mountain. Next meeting is at 10 AM in the dining hall at the QIA. (StatePoint) Social isolation among seniors is not only linked to numerous negative health conse- quences like depression and cardio- vascular disease, but it's also a pri- mary contributing factor in fi nancial exploitation and scams. Estimated to affect one in 10 older adults and cost billions annually, the threat of elder fi nancial fraud is pervasive, and especially so right now. With seniors more isolated than ever due to the pandemic and stimu- lus checks being sent to millions of Americans nationwide, experts sug- gest that seniors and their families be extra vigilant. "Scammers look for key time peri- ods where money and private fi nan- cial information are in motion. Not only is IRS fraud one of the most common and successful types of scams that exists, as a general rule, additional money equates to addi- tional fraud," says Ron Long, head of Aging Client Services at Wells Fargo. "Scammers are banking on the fact that many seniors are apart from families and friends due to COVID- 19. When someone is alone, physi- cally or socially, they often miss out on the added benefi t of a second pair of eyes and ears." Compounding the risks associated with isolation is the number of se- niors who feel their chances of falling victim to a fi nancial scam is unlike- ly. According to a recent Wells Fargo study conducted by The Harris Poll, 69 percent of all seniors age 60 and above believe they're not likely to be susceptible to a fi nancial scam, de- spite nearly all seniors (97 percent) acknowledging that older people are very or somewhat susceptible to be- coming a victim. When asked about their peers, the poll found that 47 percent of all seniors knew someone who had already fallen victim to a scam. "The results indicate what most of us want -- the ability to age relatively unaffected from the realities associ- ated with aging," says Dr. Marti De- Liema, a gerontologist and consul- tant for Wells Fargo's Aging Client Services. "The problem is that when someone doesn't feel they're at risk, they're unlikely to take precaution." To better protect seniors from el- der fi nancial fraud and abuse, con- sider these tips from Wells Fargo: 1. Don't wait for a crisis. Seniors should speak with trustworthy fam- ily members about fi nancial plans, as well as consult them when some- thing doesn't feel right. 2. Stay up-to-date. Seniors and families should draft and periodi- cally update legal documents such as wills, healthcare directives and powers of attorney. 3. Automate. Seniors should con- sider signing up for direct deposit, automatic bill pay and large trans- action alerts. 4. Prioritize security. Seniors should keep checks and credit cards locked away, and update passwords when information is compromised. They should also carefully review credit reports, account statements and bills for unusual activity or charges. 5. Be aware. Families can help seniors stay aware of the latest and most common scams, as well as help them identify potential red fl ags, in- cluding: • Alleged emergency situations involving family members, often grandchildren, requiring immedi- ate payment. • Lottery winnings requiring up- front cash payment for taxes and other fees. • Phone calls from alleged govern- ment agencies, such as Social Secu- rity, threatening arrest or penalties. For more information on fraud prevention, visit wellsfargo.com. "Aging resiliently requires plan- ning ahead and not shying away from diffi cult conversations," says Long. "We have to talk with our older loved ones about the risks, the warning signs and prevention -- and we have to keep talking." 5 tips to protect seniors from financial scams right now

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