Why is it that phone and internet scammers seem to target us “old” folks? (I was born in the first half of last century.) As they say, “I was born at night, just not last night.”

Those who attempt to take advantage of us, whether through the mail, over the phone, on our computers, or even face-to-face, are counting on the fact that some of us are suffering from some of common maladies of the advancing years, including diminished cognition, isolation and loneliness, and financial insecurity. Most seniors don’t have these problems to the point they become easy targets, but the scammers play the numbers game. Out of one thousand robo calls, one “hit” is all they need. One vulnerable individual with a bank account or a credit card makes a good payday for these crooks.

Remember, ONE robo call machine can easily make 140,000 calls PER HOUR.

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BEWARE OF STRANGERS BEARING MEMORY STICKS: Scammers using new technology. A few years ago, a single compact disc was relatively expensive. At that time AOL, an internet service company, started sending out compact discs to consumers offering “free” programs and services. All you had to do was take the CD you were sent and pop it into your computer. The CD would take over and install the necessary software for AOL on your computer, and disable all other competing services. Often this happened without the knowledge or permission of the consumer. The approach worked so well that there wasn’t a week that I didn’t receive a couple of free program discs from AOL.

The new wrinkle on the old CD ruse is to send you a memory stick — a thumb drive — a small device that plugs into your USB port. The problem is that as soon as you plug it into your USB port, it installs bad programs on your computer. Some programs steal your personal information, including passwords, bank account numbers, and balances. The program then uploads your information to the scammer’s location, all without your knowledge.

Don’t ever plug a USB drive into your computer that you receive in the mail. Also be careful about sharing photos with friends and even family — they may unknowingly give you an infected USB drive. MY ADVICE: Make sure you have good, updated virus protection software on your computer.

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CONSUMER RECOMMENDATIONS: I asked for recommendations from readers for their favorite local stores and merchants. I was overwhelmed with the number of responses. The most responses were about men’s barbers. This is a subject that I personally know nothing about. It’s been a couple of decades since I needed a barber; as they say, “That ship sailed a long time ago.”

One guy who called was in his 80s and said he had to go to his barber every two weeks. I told him I thought he was just bragging! I was going to publish the names of a couple of merchants but as it stands now, I will devote a large part of a column, in the near future, to consumers’ recommendations.

Also note that according to a story in Sunday’s Press, the 2018 Best of North Idaho competition starts today. You can nominate your favorite local businesses at: cdapress.com/bestof

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CREDIT KARMA — TAKE 2: In a recent column I recommended Credit Karma, a smartphone and computer app, to help keep track of your credit score. I stand by that recommendation.

A kind reader pointed out that the “credit score” arrived at by Credit Karma is not a true FICO score. That’s true. Credit Karma uses a complex algorithm to provide users with their version of a credit score. In my experience, it’s acceptably accurate. The consumer who contacted me pointed out that many banks offer true credit FICO scores to their customers without charge. That’s also true. But be careful. “Free FICO” scores are often come-ons for more expensive subscription services offered by financial institutions.

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CUSTOMER APPRECIATION — NOT: Three different people called last week regarding “customer appreciation” calls they’ve received. Eventually, all the calls narrowed down to the same thing — a request for credit card or bank information. Typically the con goes like this: “We appreciate you as a customer so we’d like to send you (put item name here, a coupon, or gift or something) showing our appreciation for shopping at (put a company name here). All we need is for you to pay a small handling fee of ($). To do this, please provide me with a credit or debit card number or your bank account information.”

HANG UP — RIGHT NOW! Legitimate companies do not make “customer appreciation” calls — EVER!

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MORTGAGE RELIEF SCAMS: If you get mail or calls offering lower mortgage payments or “mortgage relief,” don’t respond. This is a scam that operates nationwide. The companies offer lower mortgage rates but leave the details for the fine print in the documents you are required to sign.

The fine print often includes lower interest rates over a much shorter term for the mortgage, 15 years compared to 30 years. Another variation on the scam is huge fees paid to the lender, added to you mortgage. The lender/broker gets paid up front and you get to pay the fees charged off, with interest, over the life of the new loan.

As part of the multiagency federal Distressed Homeowner Initiative, the FTC in 2012 charged 11 companies and five people with running an illegal mortgage relief scam. Based in South Florida, the operation used several names, including Prime Legal Plans, Freedom Legal Plans, American Hardship, and the Reaching U Network.

Be careful. Call your local bank’s mortgage department. If you get a call or mail offering these “good deals” and don’t know whom to call — call me. We’ll talk about it.

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I’VE HEARD IT ALL: A consumer called last week and complained that one of the major box stores refused to accept the return of a cut Christmas tree she’d bought a month ago! I think the joke was on me.

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REMEMBER BILL BROOKS: “He’s On Your Side”

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I have many more tips and interesting cases that I’m working on. Call me at (208) 699-0506, or email me at BillBrooksAdvocate@gmail.com or fax me at (866) 362-9266. You can follow me at www.billbrooksconsumeradvocate.com. I am available to speak about consumerism to schools, and local and civic groups. Bill Brooks is a consumer advocate and the Broker and Owner of Bill Brooks Real Estate in Coeur d’Alene.