05/06/2026
BE AWARE OF SCAMS LIKE THESE LISTED BELOW.
Hi friends, this is Cherise O’Connor, your trusted real estate resource here in our community.
Today I want to talk about something that’s affecting more and more seniors—and that’s financial scams targeting good, trusting people.
These scammers are not always obvious. They don’t look like criminals.
In fact, they often pretend to be someone you can trust… a friend, a romantic partner, a government agency, or even a company like Amazon or PayPal.
Let me show you how this usually works.”
⚠️ Example 1: The “Romance Scam” Script
“Hi, I saw your profile and felt like we had a connection. I’m a widower working overseas on an oil rig. I don’t usually do this, but you seem special.”
(Builds relationship over days or weeks)
“I feel like I can trust you… I want to come visit, but I’m having trouble accessing my funds. Could you help me with $2,000? I’ll pay you back as soon as I land.”
👉 What’s really happening:
They create an emotional bond, then introduce a “temporary emergency.”
⚠️ Example 2: The “Urgent Account Problem” Script
“Hello, this is customer support from Amazon. We’ve detected suspicious activity on your account.
To protect you, we need you to verify your identity and send a payment to secure your account.”
👉 They may ask for:
Gift cards
Bank info
Login credentials
⚠️ Example 3: The “Grandchild in Trouble” Scam
“Grandma, it’s me… I’m in trouble. I was in an accident and I need money fast. Please don’t tell anyone—I’m scared.”
👉 Often followed by:
A “lawyer” or “officer” getting on the phone
Pressure to act immediately
🚩 Red Flags Seniors Should Never Ignore
1. Urgency and Pressure
“They need money NOW”
→ Real organizations don’t rush you like this.
2. Requests for Unusual Payments
Gift cards
Wire transfers
Cryptocurrency
→ These are non-traceable and a huge warning sign.
3. Emotional Manipulation
“I love you” quickly
“You’re the only one I can trust”
Fear tactics (“You’ll be arrested”)
4. Refusal to Meet in Person or Video Chat
→ Especially common in romance scams.
5. Asking for Personal Information
Social Security number
Banking details
Passwords
6. Slightly “Off” Communication
Grammar issues
Generic greetings like “Dear Customer”
Inconsistent stories
🛡️ What To Do Instead
“Before sending money or information, pause and verify.”
Call a trusted family member
Contact the company directly (using the official website—not the number they gave you)
Speak with your bank
Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission
💬 Closing Message
“I share this because I care deeply about our senior community.
You’ve worked too hard to have someone take advantage of your kindness and trust.
If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. And you never have to face it alone—reach out to someone you trust.” If this has happened to you or someone you love, please comment below with what that looked like.
BE AWARE.
