The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) is urging Texans, especially older adults, to beware of both phone and online scams. In 2021, more than 6,700 Texans over age 60 reported losing more than $159 million to fraudsters, reported TDI.
Some common scams:
• A caller offers to fix a non-existent computer problem or to renew a software or security subscription that does not actually exist.
• A caller purports to be a grandchild calling from another country and needing hundreds of dollars quickly.
• A call or email that says you have won a sweepstake or lottery but requires you to pay thousands of dollars in bogus fees in order to claim the larger prize.
• Someone adopts a fake identity to gain affection and confidence, in hopes of eventually building a relationship that enable the scammer to steal money.