Title slide for BCREA Retiree Safety Presentation.

Staying Safe as a Retiree Presentation

by | Jan 10, 2024 | DA 101, Presentations

Staying Safe as a Retiree
District Attorney Anita Howard Macon Judicial Circuit
Presentation to: Bibb County Retired Educators Association
January 10, 2024
View the entire presentation here: Retiree Safety

  1. Take Care of Your Assets
  2. Be Aware of Scams
  3. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
  4. Know Your Legal Protections
  5. Stay Connected and In Community

Take Care of Your Assets

  • NEVER give out sensitive personal information over the phone or electronically unless you have verified and are expecting the request.
  • Check all incoming bills, including utility bills and credit card statements, for charges that you didn’t authorize.
  • Don’t transfer money or gift cards to strangers or to someone over the phone.

Be Aware of Scams

  • Government impersonator scams
  • Fake prize, sweepstakes, and lottery scams
  • Computer tech support scams
  • The grandparent scam

Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions

  • Government Impersonation Scams
    • Why are they asking for YOUR account information if they called YOU?
  • Prize, Lottery, & Sweepstake Scams
    • Did they actually address it to your name or is it a generic message?
    • Why are they pressuring you to act quickly?
  • Computer Tech Support Scam
    • Why would a legitimate tech company be contacting you randomly, in a way that seems suspicious? Wouldn’t they earn your trust?
  • The Grandparent Scam
    • Are they asking for a form of payment that doesn’t make sense, like a gift card, wire transfers, or reloadable prepaid credit cards?

It’s ok to appear rude and ask questions!

Don’t be quick to act, be quick to think!
– USPIS Article on Grandparent Scams

Know your Legal Protections

  • Elder Abuse is real.
  • At least 10% of adults age 60 and older will experience some form of elder abuse this year.
  • Don’t be silent.
  • Only 1 in 24 cases of elder abuse is reported to adult protective services or law enforcement.
  • The intimate nature of many of these victimizations means that older victims are less likely to report offenses committed by someone they know.
  • Tell someone if you have been harmed!

Stay Connected and In Community

  • Build strong social connections.
  • Participate in local senior programs.
  • Stay engaged and informed about community events.

View the entire presentation here: Retiree Safety

 

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