Local police warn of scammers targeting seniors

Nashville police are warning of an increase in fraud cases targeting senior citizens.

According to the Nashville Police Department, scammers are using new techniques to try to steal from vulnerable people. Those can include more traditional scams, including tech support tricks and home repair or reverse mortgage schemes. But they also are seeing more impersonation or romance scams.

Scammers can call on you posing as officials from the IRS, Social Security, Medicare, police and sheriff’s departments and even as loved ones in distress.

Police are offering tips to help protect yourself. Tips include:

• Never share your personal or financial information over the phone or internet.
• Be wary if someone is pressuring you to take immediate action of face consequences.
• No legitimate organization will ask you to make a payment by gift card, wire transfer, crypto currency or pre-paid debit card.

If you receive one of these calls, you should just hang up. If you have questions, you can call local authorities directly at a trusted number.