Too many scams target the elderly

If only that intelligence, creativity and ingenuity could be channeled into something good.

We're talking about scams, specifically those targeting older people. Any business marketing its product or service to the public would be at a distinct advantage if it could adapt to human nature and social concerns the way scammers do.

There are reasons the elderly are an attractive target, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

* They are more likely to have a "nest egg."

* People who grew up in the 1930s-50s are more polite and more trusting than younger people.

* Elders are less likely to report fraud because they don't know who to report to.

* Elder victims, when they do report crime, make less reliable witnesses.

According to the FBI's Web site, the most common frauds targeting seniors include health insurance, counterfeit prescription drugs, funeral and cemetery fraud, "anti-aging" products, telemarketing fraud, Internet fraud, investment schemes and reverse mortgage scams.

Now scammers are exploiting the 2010 census, mailing out official-looking letters from the "National Census of Senior Citizens," a bogus agency.

U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith is warning his older constituents not to be taken in by the scheme, which asks the recipient to fill out a questionnaire on issues ranging from health care to immigration.

The questions, however, are just a smoke screen to legitimize a request at the end for $14.58, payable by check or credit card.

As with all scams, if something sounds fishy, if someone calls you asking for banking or credit card information, or if something seems too good to be true, don't be taken in. Contact local authorities with whatever information you can provide.