Page 16 - NBY December 2020 Issue

“End of Year Pop Quiz” BRIDGE BITES
Bridge Bites is sponsored by the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). ACBL’s
By Dr.Sherry McCoy, PhD c. Claims a hard-luck story Marketing Director, Vicki Campbell promotes Bridge Bites in the United States and
Stop Senior Scams! Acting Program* and needs you to send Canada. NBY! provides a way to reach the bridge players of Southern California. It
cash right away. encourages participation in duplicate bridge. There are dozens of bridge clubs in the
Stop Senior d. All of the above. area and they welcome players of every skill and experience level- many provide
lessons for newcomers to the game. Enjoy a engaging, stimulating game in a friendly
Scams from e. None of the above. and social environment somewhere close by.
Happening 3. You get a phone call from Visit www.acbl.org and search the Club Directory to find a group near you.
someone who claims to be a
friend of your grandchild. The
caller tells you that your
grandchild is in jail in a foreign
Season’s Greetings! It’s December 2020, country for a DUI and needs you
and what a year it has been! Sadly, the to send $2,500 for bail right away.
pandemic is still going strong and most of What should you do?
us are still staying at home and social a. Hang up the phone.
distancing in order to be safe. That means b. Report the call to the
this year’s holiday season will be quite Federal Trade
different than in years past. Gatherings of Commission.
friends and family will most likely be c. Call a family member to
“virtual” rather than “face-to-face.” So be check status of your loved
it. I’m grateful for the technology of one.
Zoom, Facetime, Skype, and the telephone d. All of the above.
which will allow me to stay in touch with
loved ones during the holidays. Of course, 4. You receive an unsolicited text
the same technology that allows us to stay message that your email account
in touch with friends and family, also has been compromised and shut
allows scammers to wiggle their way into down to protect your account
our lives, whether we want them to or not. from further unauthorized
Lest we forget, con artists are exceedingly activity. The text message
fond of targeting seniors in a wide variety instructs you to send a text back to
of scams! And fraudsters aren’t taking a regain access to your account.
vacation during the holidays or planning What do you do?
on working part-time. Most likely, they’re a. Send a text back and
doubling down and moving full speed provide pertinent info
ahead with plans to separate us from our needed to re-open your
hard-earned cash! So, let’s stay smart, account.
vigilant and savvy. Here’s a little Pop b. Do not reply to
Quiz to help you and your friends steer unauthorized text
clear of fraud during the holidays. Stay message.
Safe Everyone. Happy Holidays to All! c. Report unsolicited text
message to your verified
STOP SENIOR SCAMS ‘END-OF-THE- service carrier.
YEAR’ POP QUIZ d. None of the above.

1. You receive a letter in the mail 5. If the IRS calls you and says you
that says you’ve won a prize of owe them money, you should:
$10,000! All you have to do is a. Send it to them.
send them $600 in processing fees b. Give them your Social
to collect your prize. What Security Number to is an emotionally devastating and If you believe you have been the
should you do? verify your account. heart-breaking experience. How victim or the target of a scam, report it
a. Send them a check for c. Hang up the phone. can you protect yourself from to the Federal Trade Commission at
$600 right away! d. Ask for the caller’s falling victim to a pet scam? 877-382-4357 or online at https://
b. It’s a scam. Report it to number and call them a. Adopt a pet from your www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
your local postmaster back. local animal shelter or #crnt&panel1-1. And then — Pass It
and the FTC. e. None of the above. rescue league. On! You can also report scams to the
c. Tell friends & family b. Find a reputable breeder U.S. Senate Special Committee on
about your good fortune. 6. Television and newspaper ads that in your area to purchase a Aging Fraud Hotline at 1-855-303-9470.
Buy extravagant gifts offer a “free” back brace to pet. If you have questions about Medicare
online to celebrate! Medicare beneficiaries are always c. Contact the Humane fraud / abuse or believe you have
d. None of the above. legitimate. Society for info about been the victim of Medicare fraud,
a. TRUE local animal shelters and please contact the Senior Medicare
2. Red flags that your new cyber b. FALSE breeders. Patrol (SMP) at 1-855-613-7080. For
sweetheart might be a scammer d. Don’t pay for a pet with more info regarding California SMP,
are: 7. You should always carry your gift cards or by wiring go to www.cahealthadvocates.org.
a. Declares he or she has Social Security card with you. money. Contact the Los Angeles County
“fallen in love with you” a. TRUE e. All of the above. District Attorney’s office online at
too quickly. b. FALSE f. None of the above. http://da.lacounty.gov// or phone
b. Uses language that (213) 974-3512.
doesn’t seem to fit their 8. Pet scams have skyrocketed POP QUIZ ANSWER KEY
supposed identity — during the pandemic! Buying a 1 – b 2 – d 3 – d 4 – b & c Scams Continued on page 17
“scammer grammar.” non-existent pet from a scammer 5 – c 6 – b 7 – b 8 – e

16 December 2020