Editor, The Spotlight;
It is upsetting to think that there are people out there who see a senior, and instead of thinking how they can help them, they think of what they can take. In last week’s Colonie Spotlight, there was an article about a man who took advantage of a senior and in the end stole property that was valued at over $50,000.
The AARP Bulletin included an article in their July and August edition about “woodchucks.” These aren’t the furry animals that burrow holes in your backyard; these woodchucks dig their way into your wallet. Woodchucks are home repair scammers that take advantage of seniors, repeatedly repairing unnecessary items. One elderly woman who lives in Fairfax County, Va., had over $400,000 stolen from her in a six-year period by several different businesses that took advantage of her.
You cannot control the actions of others, but you can help yourself by taking the necessary steps to secure your finances and keep your assets safe. The article also shared tips on how to keep you and loved ones safe from scam artists. The first tip is to keep an eye on a parent or loved one, particularly if they are older and suffer from memory loss. You need to be their eyes and ears and if anything looks suspicious, you should begin to investigate it immediately. Another way to aid a loved one would be to sit down and have a talk about how they are handling home repairs and their finances. If it sounds like they are unsure, then it may be time to step in.
There are also options that are offered by Senior Service organizations throughout the region. We offer the Umbrella of Colonie Home Maintenance Program to seniors in Colonie, repairing small maintenances fixes before they become major problems. This program offers handyman services for low costs, and guarantees that you aren’t being scammed.
Use the local opportunities that are presented to you, or help out a loved one and share information about how you keep your home and money safe. Be wary of fraudulent behavior and when it is time to let somebody else control your finances, be sure they are somebody you can trust.
Edward Neary
Executive Director
Colonie Senior Service Centers, Inc
