Dodging Scammers After Retirement: A Guide for Seniors
From May 1, a surprise penalty for pensioners living in apartments is now in effect
In the current Russian landscape, senior citizens have become targets of fraudsters seeking to seize their apartments. Due to their vulnerability and likely unfamiliarity with new cons, it's crucial for pensioners to stay informed and aware. Anastasia Kireeva, a renowned pension expert, has warned that these swindlers are refining their schemes to deceive the elderly out of their only homes. Recognizing these deceptive practices can prevent falling victim to them.
Modern Swindler Strategies Explained
The con artists often reach out by phone, masquerading as police, prosecutors, or bank representatives. They deliver frightening news: there's an apparent attempt to illegally sell the pensioner's apartment abroad or take out a loan on it. By creating panic, they prompt rash decisions without consulting family or experts.
Next, they persuade the elderly that the only solution to save the apartment is an immediate sale to a "reliable buyer" supposedly to prevent seizure. They assure that following the "operation," the apartment will be returned or the money placed in a secure account. Then, they request the proceeds to be wired to a "safe" bank account or handed over to a courier. Afterwards, the scammers disappear, leaving the pensioner without their apartment and money.
Extra Steps: Removing Residency and Housing Rights
In some instances, swindlers go even further, helping the pensioner cancel their residential registration. This is supposedly for "safety" or to expedite the transaction. In reality, this step strips the person of their property rights, making it nearly impossible to reclaim the apartment.
Beating Swindlers' Con Tricks
To sidestep these scams, elderly apartment owners should adhere to the following safety measures:
- Avoid picking up calls from unknown numbers, particularly if the caller claims to be a bank or law enforcement officer.
- Never divulge personal information over the phone, do not transfer money to unknown accounts, and do not comply with instructions from strangers.
- If you have misgivings, promptly contact the authorities or consult a lawyer.
- Regularly review information about your property in the state registry.
- Safeguard documents for your apartment and refrain from sharing them with strangers.
- Approach offers for a lifelong rent agreement with caution - it's often an avenue for fraudulent schemes.
Why you should distrust "urgent" calls
It's important to remember that genuine bank and law enforcement agents won't demand over the phone that you immediately sell your apartment, transfer funds to supposed protected accounts, or surrender documents through a courier. Such demands are clear signs of fraud. Stay calm, refrain from impulsive decisions, and always consult with family members or specialists.
Protecting your rights and assets
Pensioners are advised to check their property information periodically through the official registry. If doubts or questionable offers arise, it's advisable to consult with a lawyer. Avoid signing any documents without thorough evaluation and careful thought. Original housing documents should be kept solely by the owner.
Conclusion: Vigilance is the key to self-defense
Given the escalating property fraud, it's essential for the elderly to be highly vigilant and cautious. By adhering to simple rules, regularly reviewing documents, and seeking professional advice, you can protect your home and avert falling prey to fraud. Remember: your security rests in your hands, and any questionable offers or calls should arouse your suspicions. So stay alert, think twice, and remain secure with PRIMPRESS's guidance.
Additional Protective Measures
- Identity verification: Verify any suspicious requests via offline channels.
- Secure account management: Use two-factor authentication for housing-related apps and messaging platforms.
- Legal documentation: Ensure property documents are kept securely and closely examined before signing/transferring ownership.
- Awareness: Treat unsolicited digital property offers or "urgent" sale requests with skepticism.
While specific housing-seizure strategies may not be detailed in available reports, these precautions address the underlying tactics observed in recent fraud patterns. Pensioners should consult local legal aid services for property-specific safeguards.
- Scammers posing as officials might call pensioners with urgency to sell their apartments, but genuine bank and law enforcement agents won't demand immediate property sale or transfer funds.
- By cancelling their residential registration, scammers aim to remove pensioners' property rights, making it difficult to reclaim the apartments.
- Anastasia Kireeva, a pension expert, has issued warnings about scammers targeting the elderly with deceiving tactics, trying to sell their apartments with false stories of seizure or loan.
- To avoid scams, senior citizens should adopt vigilance by ensuring calls from unknown numbers aren't picked up, not divulging personal information, and refusing to comply with instructions from strangers.
- Mental and general health, along with health-and-wellness and crime-and-justice sectors, could contribute valuable data and insights to help create extensive guides for seniors on dodging property scams, thus contributing to their overall well-being and safety.
