Patriot Wealth - February 2020

DON’T LET SCAMMERS GET YOU DOWN PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR MONEY

According to a recent survey by the American International Group (AIG), a majority of Americans over the age of 65 don’t know much about the myriad financial scams circling the globe. Reports show that ignorance of these scams has proven costly for the 65-plus crowd, who are the most frequently targeted demographic. IS IT LOVE? One common shakedown taking seniors and retirees for a ride is the online romance scam. As part of it, a person poses as a potential date or romantic partner and engages in a fake relationship with the victim. The scam usually starts with an online or web-based dating service and progresses to texting or talking over the phone, but it always stops short of an in-person meeting. Instead, after the scammer has gained the trust of their victim, they’ll claim there’s

been some kind of emergency for which they need money fast. The clueless victim usually offers to wire them the money. In many cases, the scammer will continue asking for money for as long as they can get away with it. Then, once the victim figures they’ve been bamboozled and try to retaliate, the scammers vanish — off to find their next target. DID YOU PAY? Another prevalent rip-off is the invoice scam. Again, AIG reports that about 57% of people aged 65-plus aren’t familiar with this sham. In most cases, the victim receives a phone call or email from a representative of a local company, who says they still owe money for a bill or service. For example, the scammer may tell the victim they owe an overdue $50 for their power bill. If the victim says they’ve already paid, the scammer might respond, “Your payment didn’t

process correctly.” The crook’s job is to get the victim to relent and pay up. Then, once they’ve been paid, usually via credit card number or wire transfer, the scammer once again vanishes along with a significant portion of someone’s bank account. Scammers want your money, but if you are aware of today’s hustles, you can better protect yourself and your assets. Luckily, AIG also found that nearly 92% of the 65-plus crowd now ignores phone calls, texts, and emails that request personal information, and 89% of these folks say they avoid clicking links from unknown senders. Be vigilant and remember that if someone calls you and demands personal information over the phone or asks you to wire money, there’s a very good chance it’s a scam.

3 RESTAURANTS TO TRY IN RALEIGH

BREWERY BHAVANA If it’s human connection you’re after, check out Brewery Bhavana. This restaurant has dotted best-of lists for multiple years in a row. Its owners built the restaurant around the goal of providing an eating and drinking establishment that could function as a kind of living room for the city of Raleigh, where people from all walks of life can come together and connect. In addition to selling beer and food, Brewery Bhavana offers a gift shop featuring books and flowers, a choice that the owners explain by pointing back to the dovetail of human connection and gift-giving. Brewery Bhavana offers slow-fermented beer brewed a few blocks down the road and their specialty, house-made dim sum. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made at BreweryBhavana.com/reservations.

CRAWFORD AND SON Raleigh chef Scott Crawford is a five-time James Beard Award finalist who turned the obsessive attention to detail that helped his rise through America’s fine dining kitchens to more casual fare at Crawford and Son. Items on the menu include kale “cesar,” crispy catfish (served with bacon-fennel relish), and smoked beef rib. To reserve a table, call 919.307.4647 or visit CrawfordandSonRestaurant.com. STANBURY Stanbury’s menu features seasonally available ingredients, so expect frequent changes. This restaurant places a premium on incorporating and promoting locally grown produce and strives to provide playful, uncomplicated meals. Menu items include sweet potato bisque; fried oysters served with daikon, carrot, cilantro, and Sriracha mayo; and smoked porkchop. They are known for their cocktails. Reservations can be made on SeatMe or by calling 919.977.4321.

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