Springtime is 'scam time'; here's how not to get taken

Officer Richard Garza repeats an familiar saying when talking about scams.

"If it sounds too good to be true, then it's not (true)," said Garza of the Carol Stream Police Department.

Scams are an ongoing problem that make it important for everyone, especially seniors, to be aware of the many ways people try to take advantage of the unsuspecting.

"Now that we are coming out of the winter, there will be even more scams," said Deputy Chief Mark Johnson of the Villa Park Police Department. "With spring time comes the gypsies and the home repair scams."

One scenario involves supposed repair men who approach their victims offering to repair chimneys, cut trees, seal driveways or perform other home repairs.

After gaining a victim's confidence, the workers request payment up front. While the victim is being distracted, the workers take off with the money or rob the victim's home.

To be on the safe side, don't deal with anyone who offers to do repairs unless you contacted them yourself. And then, if you are not sure, call their company.

"Make sure people have IDs," said Sgt. Ron Wilke of the Lisle Police Department. "My guess is if it is a scam, they'll get out of there right away."

Don't sign a check or contract until you are sure it is for a legitimate reason. The only way to do this is by knowing all the details. If you have any doubts, check with a friend, lawyer or the police.

Recent scams have involved calls to seniors asking them for $600 to open an account so the scam artist could collect lottery winnings from such places as Jamaica, Nigeria or Canada. In turn, they promise to share a sizable amount with the victim. Of course, there is no lottery prize.

Other scams are committed by mail. Be especially wary of letters requesting money.

"Throw it away," said Johnson. "Never, never send money."

Seniors often won't tell their children when they have fallen victim to a scam because they fear their children will think they can't live on their own.

Unfortunately, that's one reason why scams are not reported to the authorities.

For those who aren't aware of these precautions, never give your Social Security number to anyone, even if it is a request via e-mail.

E-mails often seem legitimate, even with logos or other indications that make them appear safe. However, they are not. I have even received such e-mails and reported them.

According to Garza, no one, including seniors, should ever give their personal information, such as Social Security number, date of birth, account numbers, over the phone. Instead, they should tell the caller to mail the request so can be reviewed and responded to accordingly.

Beware of the so-called "809 Area Code Scam."

This is when you receive an urgent message on your answering machine or pager requesting that you call a number immediately, typically because there is a "family emergency."

When you call the number, you learn the area code is not in the United State. Later, expensive phone charges appear your bill for making the call.

So be sure you always know where you are calling before you dial.

Most international locations make it necessary to dial 011, but some international numbers resemble domestic long-distance calls.

Be especially wary of "get-rich-quick schemes" that ask you to put up "good faith" money.

Other scams you should be wary of include "good deals" on expensive repairs or home improvement jobs, investments that promise unusually large returns, or someone claiming you owe money for an item ordered by a deceased spouse or relative.

In addition, be cautious of work-at-home schemes, door-to-door sales, supplemental Medicare insurance, miracle cures and glasses and hearing aids at bargain prices.

Scam artists will stop at nothing, including reading the obituaries and using the information to scam someone vulnerable at the time.

Garza encourages checking your credit reports quarterly. This can be done at no charge on the Internet at annualcreditreport.com.

He suggests that you check Experian, TransUnion and Equifax throughout the year instead of checking them all at one time.

"You should monitor your credit throughout the year," Garza said.

Again, be skeptical of any proposal that sounds too good to be true or has to be kept a secret.

Don't rush into anything. And if it sounds legitimate but you still aren't sure, check with friends, lawyers, police, the Better Business Bureau, the state or county consumer affairs department or the state's attorney's office.

It's better to be safe than sorry.