General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrying my best to help an elderly lady. What is that scam called where
those scammer call by phone to "fix" your computer? This woman talks to this man by phone at least once a week or so, and he charges her every time. She has very little money to begin with, and eats frugally because of it. Each time he "fixes" it, it only lasts about a week.
I've read about the scam, but can't remember what it's called. I'd like to report this to the authorities. Thank you.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)Many times from a guy with bad English.
Here:
https://consumerist.com/2015/11/13/feds-shut-down-phony-apple-microsoft-google-tech-support-scammers/
silvershadow
(10,336 posts)snooper2
(30,151 posts)Best she not pay any bills or do any logging into bank account etc. until that thing is wiped by somebody who knows what they are doing...
silvershadow
(10,336 posts)just in actual payments she makes to him. She is very friendly with him, and even schedules her day to await his calls. She is being duped, and doesn't even know it. I have tired to explain to her, but she really isn't hearing me. I need to get her some help from someone.
Arkansas Granny
(31,529 posts)silvershadow
(10,336 posts)I only know her from my visits to others in the complex. She doesn't even understand what I am telling her. No family in the area at all. Im at a loss, unless I can somehow get authorities involved. I may have to visit them myself to get something started. ? I wanted to know what to call the scam just for simplicity. I heard an actual name for it once a few weeks ago, but can't remember.
LisaL
(44,974 posts)snooper2
(30,151 posts)silvershadow
(10,336 posts)One was approved, but one was turned down and she didn't understand why.
pkdu
(3,977 posts)rock
(13,218 posts)She likes the company.
Trust Buster
(7,299 posts)SICKENING !!! It used to be that only fly by night companies preyed on the elderly. Now, corporate America is engaged in this fraud up to their elbows. They purchase info on seniors from data brokers and are relentless. From computer services, to home security firms, life insurance, burial insurance and on and on. I ask them to take her off their call list and they hang up. Now when she hands me the phone, they hang up. I've had people show up at the door claiming my mother invited them over which was a lie. When they sense they have a senior whose faculties are deteriorating, they call over and over again. I'll NEVER forget or forgive this experience.
lonewolf674
(6 posts)And I know exactly what you're talking about from taking care of my grandparents, one of whom had dementia and the other Alzheimer's. I could have sworn the disease sent out signals to every con artist within a 50 mile radius of their home because once a week, some door to door person would show up offering everything from overpriced meats to roof repair scams. I also had to take possession of my grandparent's mobile phone because my grandmother would answer every call and just start talking to the person on the other end. I was always afraid of leaving them alone for a long period of time during the day in case one of these losers showed up at the door or called on the phone. Many elderly people can be way too trusting of strangers showing up at the door or calling on the phone, particularly if they live alone and don't have family or friends living nearby. It really does get as bad as you say and the elderly deserve much better than this.