Elderly people seem to be easy targets for scammers. We hear about these scams locally in our neighborhoods how they pay their money up front for some sort of construction and then the work never gets done. Older people seem to be easy prey for telemarketers, sweepstakes, and lottery frauds and all sorts of other scams. If you suspect something may be wrong with a friend or loved one read this list to see how you can help.
It’s not just the elderly that are targeted and taking advantage of anyone is just wrong, but to cheat an old person out of their life savings takes a cold hearted monster that should be shown no mercy as far as I’m concerned. For a list of scams that are being perpetrated check out phonebusters.com and make sure you read the consumer tips. Keep a close eye on the seniors in your life and make sure they don’t become a victim of these unscrupulous crooks.
A few months ago Bill came home from work telling me a story about some guy that works with him, well actually it was about his ex wife. Seems she isn’t very bright because she fell for a scam online, the one where they send you a check from a foreign country. She actually deposited said check then started spending like crazy. I told Bill that it was a scam and sooner or later it would catch up with her, but he and everyone else believed it was real because the bank was actually spitting out money left and right for new cars and every thing else.
It apparently took a month or so until the bank caught on then of course they started repossessing everything. I still can’t believe some people actually fall for those scams. I have no clue how she paid back all the money, maybe they made it so she could make payments. I do know she had to go to everyone she gave money and presents to and ask for those back. It’s really sad that there are so many gullible people out there that really believe these scams, this woman wasn’t old so she should have known better as far as I’m concerned.
I have known people that wouldn’t wear anything unless it was a name brand, but thankfully that never bothered me. For that same 100 dollars they spend on one pair of jeans I can go to a thrift store and buy 10 outfits and usually they still have the tags on them. I love thrift stores and a lot of the items are even name brand and it doesn’t bother me in the least to repurchase someone elses outcasts and rewash them of course. Of course some items I wont purchase like someone elses underwear and shoes although I did buy a pair of new Harley boots once for 10 dollars.
I wasn’t prepared for the cold wind blowing up my pant legs yesterday while riding the bike so Bill stopped on the side of the road and folded my jeans over and pulled my socks up over them. That worked great until the fold started pressing in on my shin bone and I thought my leg was going to break in half. Thank goodness we were almost at our destination so I gratefully pulled and yanked till I released the pressure. 20 years ago that wouldn’t have phased me, but my body tends to let me down the older I get.
We looked around for some of those leggings that pull up over your clothes, but Battlefield didn’t carry them. The closest to anything we saw we’re some sort of rain gear for men that pulled up over your boot over your calf and cost around 45 dollars because of the Harley logo, I don’t think so! It was a bit warmer going back home so I didn’t bother tucking my pants in my socks again. We stopped at an after market leather place further down the road and found exactly what I needed for 17 dollars, I love a bargain and they worked great.
If it weren’t for current events what would people have to talk about other than the weather, children, grandkids and gossiping about other people and even then there is only so much one can say. We know pretty much everything there is to know about our family and our mate and we’ve probably heard the same stories over and over and even told our stories over and over. There’s really only so much any one person can say before it all becomes a repeat. That’s why I always hated family reunions unless they were every 10 years because then I’d have new events to talk about instead of rehashing all the old stuff.
I’m also not good with reruns or watching a movie over and over unless I haven’t seen it for 10 years. Some people live to talk and are never without words. When I was young we talked about our current boyfriend, clothes, makeup, sex, school and our dreams of the future now we talk about all the dorks we dated and married, all the mistakes we made, dreams that never became realities, children and grandchildren and all of our sickness and illnesses. I’ve never been a great conversationalist because I was really never good at chit chat, but I was usually a good listener and often encouraged the other person to talk so I didn’t have to.
I also prefer being the visitor instead of the visitee, yes I know that’s not a word. I like visiting for a half hour or so catching up on the kids’ news and watching the grandkids play and mess up their house and then leaving when I want. I don’t mind visitors, but I never know how to entertain them or what to say to them so I usually happily leave it all up to Bill to entertain and just sit back and listen, usually if they stay longer than an hour then I’m ready to pull my hair out. I’m getting really cranky in my old age apparently, but I can only be pleasant for so long then I need quiet. For the longest I’ve blamed everything on menopause now I need to find another excuse.
We’re going for a nice peaceful, cold ride with no chit chat so I’ll wish a nice Sunday for you all.
Sunset In A Small Town
