Aging News . . . News for Seniors, Their Families, and Caregivers
Todd N. Tancredi, Director
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
WATCHING FOR SCAMS AND TRYING TO HELP? DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST
On behalf of the homebound seniors of Dutchess County, we thank the hundreds of you who have stepped up to help seniors meet their needs for nutrition and supplies during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. In many cases, you’ve become their only connection to the wider world. Even as we practice social distancing, you’ve been able to help maintain social connections. Great work! If you can join the ranks of volunteers, contact Dutchess Responds at (845) 486-3555 or visit the Dutchess Responds link, which can be found at www.dutchessny.gov.
With so many of us spending more time at home, we’re spending more time on social media, both to pass the time and to share useful information. Social media can be an excellent way for seniors to stay connected, but it can also facilitate the spread of false information and scams.
Let’s say a friend has shared a warning about possible criminal activity or scams, but with no verified information as to where or when, and from a source that’s not a verified law enforcement agency. And you ask yourself what’s the harm in sharing a warning that hasn’t been verified, “just in case.” There are two main reasons:
1) Scammers count on us meaning well but not thinking things through. They post fake scam warnings on social media, hoping that somebody who means well will like and share “just in case,” and pass it along to other people who like and share “just in case.” Before long, legitimate information is crowded out by the false information – and that’s just the start of the problem. The scammer then changes the item you liked to a link to their scam, or sells their page to scammers, and all those people who liked and shared “just in case” are on the record as having approved. Instead, be selective about your likes and shares. Seek out information that’s from an official local source. On social media, we recommend following Dutchess County Government, Dutchess County Emergency Management, and the Medical Reserve Corps of Dutchess County.
2) Sharing unverified information wastes law enforcement resources. They’re stretched really thin during the crisis. Let’s not risk sending them on wild goose chases “just in case.” Follow your local police agencies and New York State Police on social media. If they’re not reporting on the rumor you saw, or they’re indicating that they have no verification themselves, the rumor is almost certainly false.
The Office for the Aging offers group scam-prevention presentations under normal circumstances – but since that option isn’t available right now, we’re working on a video version. In the meantime, if you need help determining what’s real and what’s false or a scam, contact OFA Outreach Coordinator Brian Jones at (845) 486-2544 or bjones@dutchessny.gov.
Golden Living is prepared by the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, 114 Delafield St., Poughkeepsie, New York 12601, telephone (845) 486-2555, email: ofa@dutchessny.gov website: www.dutchessny.gov/aging
