As we inch closer to the holidays, it’s a good time to remind Louisiana’s seniors about fraud.

According to Louisiana State Attorney General Jeff Landry, our state’s seniors are disproportionately targeted by scammers.

The FBI says that if you are over the age of 60, and a woman, you might be an even bigger target to people trying to sell bogus products and services over the phone. “Telemarketing scams often involve offers of free prizes, low-cost vitamins and health care products, and inexpensive vacations,” according to the FBI website.

State Attorney General Landry says that con-artists are very convincing, but there are ways to detect a scammer.

1. The caller should never pressure you to act “immediately”.
2. If the caller refuses to send you written information, that’s a red flag. Companies that are legitimate will have no problem sending you information about their services.
3. The caller is asking for a charitable donation, but won’t give details about how the donation will be used.
4. Don’t give out a social security number over the phone, unless you’re applying for credit.

 

For more information from the FBI, click here.

For more information from the State Attorney General, click here.

 

Christopher Homes, Inc. is the housing agency of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Founded in 1966, under the auspices of the Archdiocese’s Commission on Housing and Community Life, with a mandate to provide decent, affordable housing in our community, the agency has grown to become the premier manager of affordable senior housing in the Gulf Coast area.

Prior to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Christopher Homes, Inc. was managing 25 properties which included over 2,500 apartments of senior HUD subsidized housing and one property of 200 apartments of HUD subsidized family housing.

Currently, Christopher Homes, Inc. manages 16 apartment complexes that house the elderly and those with physical disabilities in nearly 2,440 apartment units.