Keys to Fighting Fraud for Seniors

Just turn on the news and you are likely to hear a story concerning victims of financial fraud.  Identity theft, phishing, and other financial crimes against seniors are on the rise, but there are some things that you can do to protect yourself.

Keep account and Social Security numbers private

Fraudsters with access to your account and Social Security numbers can cause significant damage so it’s absolutely essential that you keep that information private. If you receive phone calls or emails requesting your account numbers, passwords, or your Social Security number, there’s a chance that the email or call is fake and the originator is looking to obtain valid numbers for fraudulent purposes. Make sure that you know exactly whom you are giving your information to.

Deal only with known entities

Unfortunately, senior citizens are frequent targets of people looking to commit fraud. If someone calls you on the telephone, or rings your doorbell, do not supply that person with your private information, such as account numbers, account balances, passwords, or your Social Security number. Instead, if you are looking to open any new financial accounts, go into an office or call them yourself. That way, you can know who you are dealing with is legitimate. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations of companies that they have had good experiences with, and remember that the best companies don’t need to solicit business door to door or through telemarketing.

Shred confidential documents before disposal, and guard your passwords and pin numbers

Identity theft often occurs when your account information gets into the wrong hands. Shredding confidential documents before throwing them away, or anything with your account information or Social Security number on it, can help reduce your risk of identity fraud. If you carry an ATM card, make sure that you’ve memorized the PIN number and are not carrying the number around in your wallet.

Monitor your credit

All Americans are entitled to a free annual credit report from each of the three credit reporting bureaus. To order your free credit report, you can utilize the special Web site (AnnualCreditReport.com) or call 877-322-8228. This is the only official Web site, so make sure you do not use any other Web address. Take advantage of this opportunity to order your credit reports and review them for any suspicious activity. Reviewing your credit reports is the best way to determine if your identity has been stolen, as identity thieves generally start opening accounts right away.
Reverse Mortgage Counseling
Are you committed to turning the equity in your home into income? You'll need a reverse mortgage counseling certificate to complete the loan process, so schedule your counseling session soon!
Call 866-889-9347

Counseling is available 8am-5pm CT, M-F.

Submit a Request
  • Better Business Bureau A+ rating Better Business Bureau
    MMI is proud to have achieved an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a nonprofit organization focused on promoting and improving marketplace trust. The BBB investigates charges of fraud against both consumers and businesses, sets standards for truthfulness in advertising, and evaluates the trustworthiness of businesses and charities, providing a score from A+ (highest) to F (lowest).
  • Candid GuideStar Gold Transparency level 2022 Candid
    MMI has achieved a Gold Seal of Transparency by Candid (formerly GuideStar), a leading source for insights on thousands of nonprofit organizations. For decades, Candid has provided data that powers hundreds of websites, programs, and applications related to philanthropic giving in order to help grantors make informed decisions.
  • Trustpilot Trustpilot
    MMI is rated as “Excellent” (4.9/5) by reviewers on Trustpilot, a global, online consumer review platform dedicated to openness and transparency. Since 2007, Trustpilot has received over 116 million customer reviews for nearly 500,000 different websites and businesses. See what others are saying about the work we do.
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development - Equal Housing Opportunity Department of Housing and Urban Development
    MMI is certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide consumer housing counseling. The mission of HUD is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD provides support services directly and through approved, local agencies like MMI.
  • Council on Accreditation Council On Accreditation
    MMI is proudly accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), an international, independent, nonprofit, human service accrediting organization. COA’s thorough, peer-reviewed accreditation process is designed to ensure that organizations like MMI are providing the highest standard of service and support for clients and employees alike.
  • National Foundation for Credit Counseling National Foundation for Credit Counseling
    MMI is a longstanding member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®), the nation’s largest nonprofit financial counseling organization. Founded in 1951, the NFCC’s mission is to promote financially responsible behavior and help member organizations like MMI deliver the highest-quality financial education and counseling services.