New Book: The Smart Senior Scam Defense Guide

 

Scammers don't need you to be foolish. They just need to catch you at the right moment.

Maybe it's a phone call saying there's suspicious activity on your bank account. Maybe a frightened voice sounds exactly like your grandson or granddaughter. Maybe you're told your computer has been hacked. Or perhaps someone you've come to trust online suddenly needs money or has an investment opportunity you shouldn't miss.

I know how convincing these situations can be because I've been scammed myself.

That experience helped inspire my new book, The Smart Senior Scam Defense Guide: How to Spot the Trick Before You Click, Pay, or Answer.

What Makes This Book Different?

There are thousands of scams, and new variations appear constantly. Trying to memorize every one of them isn't practical.

So this book takes a different approach.

Instead of teaching you the names of hundreds of scams, it teaches you to recognize the behavior behind the scam.

Fear.

Urgency.

Authority.

Secrecy.

Requests for verification codes.

Instructions to move your money.

Requests for unusual forms of payment.

Someone wanting remote access to your computer.

The story can change. The warning signs often don't.

That's why the heart of the book is a simple three-step defense:

STOP. CHECK. VERIFY.

STOP. Don't click, pay, transfer money, give out a verification code, or provide sensitive information when something unexpected happens.

CHECK. Who contacted whom? What do they want? Are they making you afraid, excited, confused, or rushed?

VERIFY. End their contact. Then independently contact the bank, company, government agency, family member, or organization yourself using information you already trust.

One of the most important rules in the book is incredibly simple:

They contacted you? STOP.

A legitimate problem will still exist after you hang up.

A Book for Seniors and Their Families

The book isn't about frightening seniors or taking away someone's independence. It's about adding another layer of protection.

It also includes advice for families, what to do if you've already sent money or provided information, and how to avoid the cruel second scam in which someone promises to recover money you've already lost.

I've also made the STOP. CHECK. VERIFY. reminder available on the book's website so you can keep it near your phone or computer.

Learn more about The Smart Senior Scam Defense Guide and get the free printable reminder here:

The Smart Senior Scam Defense Guide

You don't have to recognize every scam.

You just need to recognize the moment when it's time to stop.

STOP. CHECK. VERIFY.