How the scam works:
We all have elderly relatives that we look out for, and this latest scam makes it very clear why that is so important. The groceries for seniors scam relies on pre-recorded phone calls to try and scam senior citizens into revealing their personal identifying information. It is very important that we spread the word of this scam to our senior friends and family who are more vulnerable to these types of scams.
The scam consists of a recorded message advising callers that if they are sixty years of age or older they are eligible for the national senior assistance program. The message states, “Sixty years old or older, you now qualify for the new national senior assistance to receive $3,000 in free grocery savings certificates.”
The program consists of not only getting $3000 in free grocery savings certificates, but a complimentary medical alert device as well. Of course, personal information is required to “process” the certificates and device, which never arrive. So beware!
How to avoid the Free Groceries scam:
Warning seniors of this scam is, of course, line of defense number one. If you have an elderly loved one in your life, it is wise to periodically talk with them about the dangers of being too trusting with their personal information, especially with a stranger over the telephone. Many seniors are unaware of how easy it is to steal someone’s identity in this technological age in which we live.
Finally, let them know that the old adage still rings true: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. These are timeless words that can go a long way toward saving millions of senior citizens the inconvenience and the heartache of identity theft.
How to report the Free Groceries scam:
Make your family and friends aware of this scam by sharing it on social media using the buttons provided. You can also officially report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:
Report To The Federal Trade Commission Here
How to protect yourself more:
If you want to be the first to find out the most notorious scams every week, feel free to subscribe to the Scam Detector newsletter here. You’ll receive periodical emails and we promise not to spam. Last but not least, use the Comments section below to expose other scammers.
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Seniors have little to no chance of saving money on groceries. They send a card with a website: http://www.mygrocerydough.com
You have to either download software or give a credit card number and pay a fee. The medical alert is lifewatch USA. If you get a robo-call, report it to the FTC: 877-382-4357
I have been getting these calls about twice a week, mainly, but not always, from Washington and California. (I live in Oregon.) I would hope by now that these calls are being investigated by a government agency. I believe that they are being made from disposable cell phones and therefore understand why the progress is slow.
I just received the call a few minutes ago; exactly as everyone has explained. It came from 714-233-2134. I listened to the recording and hung up when I got the prompt to talk to a rep. Please let your loved ones know about this one! It can be very convincing.
Got this call today from 213-375-0990. I sure wish someone could stop this stuff from happening.
I received a call coming up customer service using number 458-201-2406. It was prerecorded addressed to seniors 60 years and older.
Today the calls are coming from 323-281-1384. and another number from 314 area code I deleted tht number.
I got that call today and the man said the coupons are on a website. And I said "there are many coupon sites on the web, what makes your site different?" No answer. He hung up on me when I said I do not have a phone for the alert box.
I receive this phone call almost weekly, thinking it must be a scam, I hang up the phone right away, today I decided to check, sure enough, it is a scam, the wording is exactly the same.
Received several messages of this exact content. You received a new 1:05 minutes voicemail message, on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 01:55:37 PM in mailbox xxxxxxxxxx from "V023135417002513014" . By the way my SCAM DETECTOR CAME UP SAYING THIS IS SPYWARE. SO DO NOT LEAVE PERSONAL INFORMATION HERE EITHER. MINE IS MASKED. WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING
I have had three of these calls. How do I stop them from calling?