By Roger Ball

Independent Newsmedia

Change is constant and brings about challenges and opportunities. That includes opportunities for scammers to swindle unsuspecting victims.

In many ways change makes it easier for scammers to operate because it involves some unknowns and victims are easier to swindle when they are unsure. Some of the scams aren’t obvious, and sometimes the victims don’t get hurt right away, so the criminals are long gone when the crime is discovered.

Example of scam. Message left on doors where there was no delivery. When resident calls company seeks personal information.

There have been some reports of scammers trying to get personal information in Sun City and Sun City West.

One example involves the upcoming new account numbering system for Medicare. Many have heard the system will no longer use Social Security numbers, but official documents with the new account numbers haven’t been sent.

Sun City resident Geraldine Patt indicated a scam involving these new account numbers. Ms. Pratt said people falsely claim to be from Medicare to get a victim’s account and other personal information. Among things they ask for is a Social Security number.

“Sometimes they claim the person must pay to get the new card or threaten to cancel coverage if the person doesn’t share personal information,” she stated in an email.

There is no cost for the new card. If a resident feels the call is fraudulent they should hang up and call Medicare directly. The number is 800-772-1213.

Sun City resident Dwayne Cline reported a suspicious person coming to his door supposedly representing a satellite service.

“I noticed the identification card the person was wearing seemed to be a fake,” he stated in an email. “Then the sales representative asked for my Social Security number, driver’s license number and more confidential information, saying it was necessary to setup an appointment.” Mr. Cline declined to provide the information.

Another method of getting information is by telling the resident there was a package delivery attempt, and they must call to setup a time for the delivery.

Capt. Jan Vejraska, Sun City West Posse, showed an apparent false delivery slip from a service that apparently doesn’t deliver anything. With online purchases becoming more common, many people accept the fact there was a missed delivery.

“When the resident calls the number on the slip, the business will ask for some personal information to confirm the legitimacy of the caller,” Ms. Vejraska explained. “The business isn’t a delivery service after all, but a data gathering firm.”

Fine print on the back of the note left on the door indicated the real purpose is to gather personal information.

Mia Garcia, Arizona Attorney General Office spokeswoman said, said the office is aware of such scams, and people should not give any personal information over the phone.

“Residents should always be wary of such messages that aren’t from a known delivery service, such as UPS, FedEx or the Post Office,” Ms. Garcia said. “When making online purchases, the seller should give a tracking number for the customer that gives the name of the delivery service.”

Several years ago, “Is it real, or is it Memorex?” was a well-known advertising slogan promoting the quality of audio cassette tapes. Society has come a long way from cassette tapes, and the scammers have come a long way in fooling people about whether things are real, according to Ms. Garcia.

The name and phone number that is supposed to be from the caller is an example.

The process known as “spoofing” makes it appear that the call is from a different number and person than is really making it. Spoofcards can easily be purchased online to change the name and phone number for the caller. Some cards can even change the caller’s voice.

Recreation Centers of Sun City West officials warn they were spoofed. When a resident sees the RCSCW name and number on the phone and answer it, they may actually be talking to a telemarketer, according to Diana Wenners, RCSCW multimedia specialist, in a press release.

In a similar scam, club members receive emails asking them to pay fake invoices, she added.

Rec centers officials advise members to change their email passwords if they think they have been compromised. Also, they advise residents not to pay any invoices they are not expecting.

RCSCW General Services Officer Katy O’Grady said residents should call the main number if they have any questions, 623-544-6120.Arizona AG and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office officials encourage residents to report scam attempts at www.azag.gov or by calling MCSO at 602-876-1011.

Sun City Home Owners Association officials provide seminars on scams and frauds during their scheduled town hall meetings. Call 623-974-4718 or visit www.suncityhoa.org for information. The Sun City Posse has also conducted scam and fraud seminars and organization leaders plan to continue them in the future. Call 623-972-2555 for information.

PORA of Sun City West offers a class on consumer scams through its Adult Learning program. Call 623-584-4288 for information.