Protecting Your Money From Con Artists

Several famous people have been credited with the idea that for every sucker born, there are a hundred con artists born to take his money. It's sadly true, and it's even sadder that there are vast resources of brains and creativity-all honed in on thinking up new ways to take our money, rather than on enhancing mankind in some way.

And it doesn't take much to figure out who the prime victims are. Not only are the elderly more vulnerable, they have lived long enough so that changes don't surprise them. That's particularly so in our modern world. So they tend to believe what they're told, no matter how nonsensical it sounds. Today, its takes an expert to fill out a simple tax form, and even then there's a good chance something will be wrong with it.

So what can the elderly do to protect themselves? Wait. That's half the art of avoiding being fooled. Anytime someone tells you that you have to hurry through a business deal (and that would include buying insurance), it's time to slow down and investigate it. This, of course, doesn't hold true with advertised sales from reputable stores, although it doesn't hurt to compare their prices with other stores-sale or not.

Medicare has become a massive net spread out by the government to make it easy for tricksters to trap people. It has become so convoluted, and health care so expensive, that supplementary insurance is necessary-opening the door for even more confusion. Remember, it is illegal for anybody to come to your home and sell Medicare insurance. For Medicare information and help, either go to www.medicare.gov or call their help line, 1-800-633-4227.

Supplementary health plans can be confusing, too. It's best to have someone who has some experience in understanding this sort of thing help you. Or call a second insurance company and ask them what they offer concerning anything that you question in the first policy. There are government and volunteer organizations that will help you through the maze. Use them.