Beware of requests for money and information
There are thousands of varieties of scams and millions of scammers circulating in the marketplace, making it very likely that you will encounter one at some point during your retirement. Whatever their tactics or approach, they will likely be asking for money, information or both. As a rule of thumb, if what they tell you seems too good to be true, then it is.
As a precaution, be immediately suspicious of any correspondence – including e-mail, telephone calls and letters – from an unknown source (especially unfamiliar charitable organizations, sweepstakes contests or foreign banks or dignitaries) requesting any of the following:
- Your address
- Your phone number
- Your medical information
- Social Security number
- Bank and financial account numbers
- Credit card numbers
- Personal checks
- Money orders or cashier's checks
- Money wire transfers
- Cash
