HOUSTON – Every week, Channel 2 receives complaints about scams -- from fake IRS agents, to bad contractors who do shoddy work and take off with the money.
Tobie Stanger is a senior editor at Consumer Reports magazine and she has researched the tricks scammers use to target victims.
Scammers collect names from obituaries. They also get their hands on mailing lists of people who have bought products targeted to senior citizens.
Their first point of contact could be a letter asking for your contact information.
While some may think this is harmless, Stanger cautions otherwise.
"The scammer now has in their hands something that shows someone is willing to respond to a suggestion," Stanger said.
Your name could now be on a list -- a list you really want to avoid.
"These lists, they're called sucker lists," Stanger said. "There are people who have already responded say to a mailing or to a response and they're sold among scammers. The names might be worth $6 each."
That list is then sold to other criminals. If you do fall for a scam, con artists will keep trying to squeeze more money out of you.
Stanger cited a case where a woman lost $300,000.
"And the person said, 'Well, why don't you open a credit card? Or you could take a loan off your life insurance,' which she did," Stanger said.
For those with senior citizens in their family, consider that some older people fall victim just because they are lonely.
"They are willing to talk with these scammers, because actually the scammers are giving them companionship," Stanger said.
Make sure you're checking with the seniors in your life about any unusual calls or letters they receive. Make it part of checking in with them so you can spot any trouble.