Interim HealthCare of

Sarasota

The Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model is a voluntary, nationwide model testing the impact of providing comprehensive services and supports for people with dementia and their caregivers. The model began on July 1, 2024, and will run for 8 years.

• Extreme Urgency: Scammers want you to act quickly before you have time to think or consult someone else.
• Requests for "Odd" Payments: Legitimate businesses or government agencies will never ask for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
• Demands for Secrecy: If someone tells you not to tell your family or friends about a "deal" or an "emergency," it is almost certainly a scam.
• Unsolicited Contact: Be wary of unexpected calls, emails, or texts claiming you have a virus, won a prize, or owe back taxes.

• The Grandparent Scam: A caller impersonates a grandchild in trouble (like being in jail or an accident) and begs for immediate money.
• Tech Support Fraud: A pop-up or caller claims your computer is infected and asks for remote access or a fee to "fix" it.
• Medicare/Social Security Impersonation: Scammers pose as government officials to steal your personal information or "confirm" your benefits.
• Romance Scams: Fraudsters build fake emotional connections online to eventually ask for money for "travel" or "emergencies".

• Pause and Verify: If you receive a suspicious call, hang up. Call the person or organization back using a trusted, verified phone number—never the one provided by the caller.
• Protect Your Information: Never share your Social Security number, bank account details, or passwords with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly.
• Use the "SLAM" Method for Emails: Before clicking any links, check the Sender, hover over Links to see the URL, check for unexpected Attachments, and evaluate the Message for errors or urgency.
• Consider a "Safe Word": Establish a unique code word with your family members to verify their identity in case of an "emergency" call.
• Secure Your Tech: Keep your computer and phone software up to date, and ensure you have reputable anti virus software installed.

1. Stop Communication: Immediately hang up or block the contact.
2. Contact Your Bank: If you shared financial info, notify your bank or credit card company right away to secure your accounts.
3. Report It: File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11.