Page 16 - September 2020

“Let’s Stop Talking to Robots” BRIDGE BITES
Bridge Bites is sponsored by the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). ACBL’s
By Dr.Sherry McCoy, PhD such as Verizon, Sprint, and U.S. Marketing Director, Vicki Campbell promotes Bridge Bites in the United States and
Stop Senior Scams! Acting Program* Cellular” states that during the first half Canada. NBY! provides a way to reach the bridge players of Southern California. It
of 2018, robocall activity increased 15% encourages participation in duplicate bridge. There are dozens of bridge clubs in the
Stop Senior over the same time period from 2017. 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
NOTE — The TNS report is “based on
Scams from data that flows through TNS’ network, and social environment somewhere close by.
Happening including more than 1 billion calls a day Visit www.acbl.org and search the Club Directory to find a group near you.
from 200 million devices across hundreds
of telecom service providers.”
Per the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC), robocalls are the #1 consumer
Dr. Sherry McCoy, PhD – Stop Senior complaint. In 2017, the FTC received
Scams ! Acting Program 4.5M robocall complaints. In 2016, the
count was 3.4M.
Here we are in September 2020! Stop Talking to Robots (3)
Although September marks the end of -The best way to stop talking to robots
Summer and the beginning of Fall, it is is to not answer the phone if you don’t
still quite hot here in Southern California. recognize the Caller ID. Of course,
Everyone is doing their best to stay cool at scammers have the technology to alter or
home, where we all spend a good deal of “spoof” the Caller ID — meaning they
time these days due to the coronavirus can change the Caller ID to any number
pandemic Stay-At-Home orders. they wish, like “Social Security
Meanwhile, “robocallers” are having a Administration” or the “IRS.” I recently
field day taking advantage of the received a robocall where my own cell
situation! I don’t know about you, but I phone # appeared as the Caller ID!
find the intrusion of robocalls into my -Sign up with the NATIONAL DO NOT
daily life quite irritating. (Who wants to CALL REGISTRY at https://
talk to a robot anyway?) Recently, I was at www.donotcall.gov/
my dentist’s office speaking with the -Sign up for your Carrier’s Robocall
office manager when her phone rang. She Alert Service to block robocalls from
excused herself for a moment to take the ringing on your phone.
call. -Download a robocall blocking app
Ofc Manager — Hello … (pause) … No, such as Nomorobo, Hiya, Mr. Number,
and please take us off your list. Goodbye. RoboKiller, and YouMail.
Me – Was that by chance a robocall? -If you do answer a call from a robot,
Ofc Manager – Yes, it was. don’t give out any personal info. Just
Me – I thought so. Interesting … I’m hang up!
writing an article for NOT BORN Where to Report Scams
YESTERDAY’s September issue on If you receive a suspicious call, just
robocall scams! hang up and call the U.S. Senate’s Special
Ofc Manager – Well, you can certainly Committee on Aging’s Fraud Hotline at
use this example in your article! 1-855-303-0470. You may also report
Me – I will do just that! scams to the Federal Trade Commission
at 877-382-4357 or https://
So, the moral of the story is that not www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
even dentists are exempt from robocalls! #crnt&panel1-1. If you have questions
All kidding aside, scammers often about Medicare fraud / abuse or believe
target seniors using robocalls because — you have been the victim of Medicare
“Seniors usually have landlines (which are fraud, please contact the Senior Medicare
more susceptible to robocalls), they Patrol (SMP) at 1-855-613-7080. For more
answer unknown numbers more often info regarding California SMP, go to Watch “Meet Me At The Veterans money/retirement/scams-targeting-
(not having grown up with caller ID) and www.cahealthadvocates.org. Contact the Club,” released mid-July, which focuses seniors/
they have less experience with the world Los Angeles County District Attorney’s on scams that target veterans. https:// (2) https://www.consumerreports.org/
of internet scams.”(1) Robocalls are used office online at http://da.lacounty.gov// www.youtube.com/ cro/robocalls/robocalls-and-scams-now-
to target seniors with a wide variety of or phone (213) 974-3512. watch?v=Mf6wXO4pY3I&t=17s one-third-of-all-calls-tns-report
fraudulent schemes, such as Social Security STOP SENIOR SCAMS ! ACTING In early June, we released “Stop Senior (3) https://www.consumerreports.org/
Scams, Sweepstakes Scams, Medicare PROGRAM is on YOUTUBE! Scams Acting Program and Medicare scams-fraud/fake-calls-from-social-
Cancer Screening / DNA Testing Scams, Although the Stop Senior Scams ! Telehealth Fraud.” Watch it here — security/
etc. Here are some disturbing statistics. Acting Program (SSSAP) in-person https://www.youtube.com/
-According to Your AAA Daily, 06/17/ performances are on hold during this watch?v=DVlvmPwAa3I&t=40s Dr. Sherry McCoy, PhD, is a freelance
201 time of the coronavirus pandemic, we are Please subscribe (free of charge) to the writer & actor for the Stop Senior Scams !
-The Federal Communications committed to continuing our education SSSAP YouTube Channel and you’ll be Acting Program (SSSAP) in Los Angeles.
Commission (FCC) says robocalls program through our videos on Zoom. notified when new videos are released! For more information, please contact
increased 58.6% from 2017 to 2018. We are happy to announce our most https://www.youtube.com/channel/ Adrienne Omansky at
-Per Consumer Reports 10/17/18 (2) recent video, released mid-August, which UCjFjb-WPPr8KAXq1dlu1EvA Together SSSAP4U@gmail.com. Follow SSSAP on
-Robocalls and scams are now one-third is an overview of some of the most we can combat fraud! Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/
of ALL calls. prevalent scams that target seniors in the Remember: You may be a target, but SSSAP2016/?fref=ts.
-The “2018 Robocall Investigation United States. Watch “The Top Senior you don’t have to be a victim! Questions for the writer should be
Report” by Transaction Network Services Scams with the Stop Senior Scams Acting (1) https:// directed to “Dear Sherry” at Not Born
(TNS) “which manages data networks for Program” here —https:// magazine.northeast.aaa.com/daily/ Yesterday! P.O. Box 722, Brea, CA 92822
telecommunications service providers www.youtube.com/
watch?v=cp097g7hTUg&t=13s or nbynews@juno.com.
16 September 2020