Senior Scam Alert From Home Care Path

The newest senior scam uses facebook. The senior receives an email from a stranded family member needing money. The FBI has been flooded with reports of social networking accounts (facebook) being comprimised and used to swindle seniors out of money. Computer unlawfuls hack the seniors facebook information and contact the user. Scammers use emotionally charged (love of family) messages to trick seniors in to sending money. The FBI have released data indicating online fraud in 2009 was over 500 million dollars. This is a substantial increase from 2008. This sends the message that online criminals have become more aggressive, and manipulative. If you are an online user and get a message from a family member saying they are out of country and need quick cash, you are likely the target of an online scammer. Never ever rush to provide money for an online contact you receive.