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2023’S Top Scams

Donna Nichols • April 17, 2023

I’ve written blogs on this topic before, but I just can’t stand people, especially seniors, being taken advantage of. This came from the April 2023 AARP Bulletin, and I found it very interesting. I am not copying it word for word, I will just highlight some of the important parts of the 2023 top scams for you! All the ways to prevent the scams are recommended by the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission. The April 2023 bulletin is not on the website yet, but there is much more valuable information at www.AARP.org.


1.     Look out for fake barcodes on gift cards! The crooks affix fake barcode stickers over the real ones on the back of gift cards in stores. When you purchase the card, the cashier scans the fake barcode at checkout which then directs YOUR money right into their bank account and leaves you with a worthless gift card. How do make sure you have a real gift card? Some of them have matching numbers on the barcode and gift card packaging that you can see and match. You can feel or gently scratch the barcode on a gift card before buying it. Don’t buy it if the barcode is on a sticker, the package is ripped, wrinkled, bent, or looks tampered with.


2.     Have you ever received a text message directed at someone else? You think you’re being nice by replying, “sorry, wrong number.” The person then tries to get you to engage in a conversation where they try to get some of your personal information. What do you do when you receive such a text? Do not respond. Simply delete the message, or if it says reply stop to end further messages, then block the number; don’t reply with stop. If you reply with the word stop, they know they have a working number. They may then use your number for another scam.


3.     Crypto Refund Swindles. If you have lost money in a cryptocurrency scam, BEWARE! You could now become a potential “refund and recovery” victim. The criminals set up fake “get your crypto cash back” websites and they make them look like they are from the U.S. Department of State. Once you respond, they will contact you by phone, email or social media and ask for personal ID information. They will ask for account numbers and passwords, plus an advance fee for their services payable by gift card or wire transfer. What do you receive? NOTHING!!!


4.     Fake High School Sports Streaming Sites. Criminals claim they will show you the big game, but instead they steal your money and information. During the pandemic, streaming your grandchild’s high school sports game became a big thing and they were often free via a legit outlet recognized by the school. However, scam streaming apps are popping up on social media before the events, posting messages about streaming the game; they may even mention a key athlete’s name to make it sound more legit. Sometimes the athlete will resend the message not realizing it’s a scam. So, when it is game time, you click on the link, enter your credit card number, and never see the game. The scammers now have your credit card information and your personal ID information. What can you do to prevent this? Contact the school before the game and ask them how you can stream it.


5.     Out-of-Stock item scam. Scammers are now creating fake websites with too good to be true prices for items we all want. You go online and order the item and wait. You receive an email stating it is out of stock and your refund is on the way. They promise you a refund, but you never receive it, and you can’t reach anyone at the company. How do you prevent this? FTC recommends researching businesses online before you buy, and only shop on secure websites with a lock symbol in the browser bar and an address that begins with “https.”


6.     I have got your package, where’s your house? This may be the scariest scam of all! Have you ever ordered a package and it was delivered to the wrong address? Sure, it’s happened to all of us. But scammers are now getting your phone number and texting or calling you saying they received your package by mistake, and asking your address. Also, fake delivery drivers may leave a note on your door stating delivery attempt failed, please call this number. When you call the number they will provide you a link to click on to schedule a delivery date, but that link downloads malware that will grab your passwords and account information from your computer. What to do if you get such a notice? Contact the seller or delivery service using a verified phone number and DON’T use numbers or links provided by potential scammers.


It's really sad how many new scams come out every day. It seems no one is safe from these people who don’t want to live an honest life like most of us. Our seniors are the most vulnerable and we at Assisted Living Made Simple are here to help protect you! If you have questions, please call us at 386-847-2322. If you think you have been a victim of a scam, or a potential victim, please contact your local law enforcement. 

Make Valentine’s Day Special for Seniors

By Donna Nichols • February 5, 2025
Valentine’s Day tends to zero in on romantic love, but what about our seniors? They too often get forgotten. We have some ways to make Valentine’s Day special for them too. Spend the day with your loved one. Spending quality time with a loved one is more important to a senior than anything else. There is no greater gift than time and please make sure you have enough, so you are not rushed. Do your elderly loved one have a favorite meal? Perhaps you can prepare it for them, or if they are able, you can prepare it together. How fun would that be for you both? Be sure to discuss the enjoyment it brought you while you are sharing the meal together. How about a game of name that love song? You could prepare a playlist of love songs from the generation and play them to see how many they get correct. Or, if you can sing, you can sing some for them and see if they can recollect them. Take some time for reminiscing, go through old photo albums, or ask about old times. Ask them about when you were young and what trouble you caused; this will give you all something to laugh (or cry) about. Has your loved one been cooped up all winter? Take them out for a nice lunch, or weather permitting, a picnic in the park. Go for coffee and a donut, then head out to see a movie. Make a “date” of it. Maybe your senior is into crafts. You can design special Valentine’s Day cards for other family members. This way your senior can express their love for them and send it to them in their own unique way. You can create other greeting cards as well. Bake some special treats together. Does your senior have some favorite cookies or cake? You could bake it together, or you can bake it for them. Then you can enjoy it after you have the meal you prepared together. Yummy, delicious!! You can watch some romantic movies together if they prefer to stay in the house or the weather isn’t so good. If they like to color, you can buy them some of those large coloring books and you can color together. Don’t forget the decorations and the flowers! Make the house or apartment as festive as possible. Even if they live in as assisted living community, you can still decorate their room to the nines! Make it as festive as possible! If you live in another state or can’t be close to your senior for Valentine’s Day, how about sending them a specially crafted care package. You can hand make some gifts, add some photos of family and friends, and send a personally recorded message. You can bake some homemade treats and incorporate some things that are of personal interest to them. This will show how much you care for them and make their Valentine’s Day extra special even if you can’t be with them.  There are so many ways to make Valentine’s Day special for seniors. Let’s not forget about them; make sure to show them they are so loved too!

February is National Heart Month

By Donna Nichols • February 4, 2025
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Hydration Tips for the Winter

By Donna Nichols • January 8, 2025
I’ve written many blogs about the importance of staying hydrated in the summer, but did you know it’s just as important to stay hydrated in the winter months? I’ve shared some important tips on how to stay hydrated in the winter and why. Cold, dry air can dehydrate you easily and quickly. Even if you don’t feel thirsty. Proper hydration can help regulate your body temperature, maintain healthy organ function, and prevent fatigue, dry skin, and headaches. In the colder months, you do not feel thirsty, that’s why it’s so important to make sure you drink plenty of water. Why is winter hydration so important? Colder air tends to be drier causing moisture to evaporate through your breathing which can cause dehydration. In colder weather, you may not feel as thirsty, causing you to become dehydrated quickly. Also, wearing more clothing traps sweat inside your clothing causing more fluid loss. What are some of the benefits of staying hydrated in the winter? • Drinking enough water helps keep your skin hydrated and prevents dryness. This will help with that dry, itchy skin feeling we all get in the winter. • Water helps your body maintain a regular core temperature. Which is so important to maintain in the winter. • Drinking plenty of water supports your immune system, which helps fight off winter colds and the flu. We all want to fight those germs off! • When you are dehydrated, you become tired easily, so drinking plenty of water helps keep your energy levels up. How do you stay hydrated in the winter? • Make sure you drink plenty of water. Set reminders if you must; you probably won’t feel as thirsty in the winter, but you need to keep drinking that water! • You don’t have to drink cold water; room temperature water works. You can also drink tea or water with lemon, as long as you’re getting your water. • If you’re going out, carry a water bottle with you to ensure you have water to drink. • Eat fruits and vegetables that contain water. Tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries, watermelon, cauliflower, mushrooms, cucumber, apples, and pineapple are just a few that contain high water contents. • If you think you’re dehydrated, check your urine; if it’s a darker color, that can suggest dehydration. Urine should be a pale, yellow color. As you can see, staying hydrated in the winter is just as important as staying hydrated in the summer, if not more. In the winter you don’t realize you are thirsty therefore you tend not to drink as much water as you should. This has the potential of wreaking havoc on your body. Please make sure you drink plenty of water in the wintertime as you do in the summertime. We have rebranded our company, we are now Assisted Senior Services! Call us for ANYTHING SENIOR!! 386-847-2322!
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