The Overseas Chinese Association for Emergency Assistance in Northern California hosted a free seminar for elderly care at the South Bay Overseas Chinese Center on February 1st (last Sunday). They invited detectives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) office in San Francisco and several experts to explain how to prevent online fraud and senior fraud. The seminar also covered topics such as healthcare insurance, investment, and long-term care planning, attracting nearly a hundred elderly attendees with a full house.
During the meeting, two FBI detectives from San Francisco shared their practical experiences, highlighting that scams often start with soliciting personal information. They reminded the public to reject unknown calls or requests for personal details such as name, phone number, and account information, and suggested clearing unnecessary personal information from their phones.
The detectives emphasized that there is no rush to answer unfamiliar phone calls; letting the caller leave a message before calling back is sufficient. Banks or government agencies already have the required information and would not actively seek personal information from the public.
They also stressed that the most important principle in anti-scam measures is “do not answer unknown calls; do not be greedy.” Many victims fall prey to investment temptations, initially seeing profits on paper, but when they request withdrawals, they are asked to pay taxes or various fees, while the funds have already been swindled. Particularly concerning virtual currencies like bitcoin, vigilance needs to be heightened as recovering the transferred funds is nearly impossible once they are gone.
Furthermore, it is important not to search for phone numbers online or call unidentified numbers at random, as scam groups often build rapport through lengthy conversations to gather information and even use AI technology to manipulate voices or images for fraud.
The association’s president, Wang Changtai, stated that inviting FBI detectives to share their knowledge is aimed at helping the elderly understand scam tactics from a financial perspective, including the prevalent “pig-killing scheme” operation model in San Francisco and its historical evolution. He reminded everyone not only to protect themselves but also not to casually forward information to avoid indirectly harming others.
The seminar also featured diverse thematic discussions. Mei Yiduan, co-founder of the Foundation for Future Prospects, shared his life story of struggles and staying true to his initial aspirations. In addition, retired HP engineer Feng Jianping explained the key points in healthcare insurance planning and selection, while Wu Youru, a representative of TRANSAMERICA FINANCIAL ADVISORS, LLC, reminded the elderly to plan early for long-term care and retired life.