A recent USA Today story told about an increase in scams involving medical alert devices. Elderly consumers across the country are being bullied and duped into paying hundreds of dollars for medical alert devices they never ordered. This is all according to federal regulators.
Those being victimized are generally 70 or older and generally live alone. According to the report they were being scared into paying for something they did not want or need. The report said fear is a major factor in scams involving medical alert devices, IRS impostor phone calls, fake debt collectors, magazine scams, and others. Older people, especially those with dementia likely do not realize the significance of reading their credit card or bank account information to someone pressuring them on the phone, according to regulators.
In the case of the medical alerts telemarketers often prey on a fear of falling and not being found. And in some cases they implied that a relative had already ordered it for them, and now they need to pay.
Be very careful before giving bank or credit card information to anyone over the phone. If they persist, the best thing to do is hang up.