Today, even the most conscientious can fall victim to phone scams. Claiming everything from free cruise vacations to astonishing tax rebates, phone scammers prey on the financially vulnerable, but that’s not all. As scammers become more sophisticated and find clever ways to elude legal consequences, new and convincing scams are on the rise.
A recent phone scam asks unsuspecting callers seemingly harmless questions such as, “Can you hear me?” to illicit easily recorded “yes” answers that are later used to authorize charges. Some callers who’ve later denied such charges have even been threatened with legal action, making this one of the most predatory phone scams yet.
Now that you know, tell your adult children and elderly parents what to look out for so they don’t fall victim to a scam like this. Instead of answering “yes” to a “can you hear me” caller, respond with “who is calling” instead.
Once they happen, dealing with scams isn’t easy. It can feel embarrassing and as if you should have known better. Accepting that you didn’t and having compassion for yourself is the first step. Then, call us so we can help.
Reluctance to seek help can make you an easy victim. That is why it is so important to know where to turn for help if you or a family member has been scammed. Call us and let us support you to know where to turn, and how to recover your losses, limit your future liabilities and put effective protections in place for the future.
The truth is, anyone can fall victim to a scam. To really know better, you should never be embarrassed about seeking help. A trusted legal advisor, such as your Estate Planning Lawyer, can be there to protect what is most valuable to you throughout all of life’s challenges.
As your Estate Planning Lawyer, we provide the support and guidance you need to make sound financial decisions and establish robust legal protections that ensure your assets are protected from scams and fraud of all kinds. If you aren’t already a client, come in for a Family Wealth Planning Session to make the most empowered, informed decisions for yourself and the one’s you love. Before the session, we’ll send you a Family Wealth Inventory and Assessment to complete that will get you clear on what you own, what matters most to you and what you need to do to protect all of it.
