The Real Deal on Reverse Mortgages
Some companies are marketing the "reverse mortgage" as a way for seniors to convert some of the equity in their home to cash to pay other bills. For some seniors, a reverse mortgage may not be a suitable loan, however.

Reducing Junk Mail to Seniors
Many senior citizens are overwhelmed by unwanted mail from bogus senders—ranging from fake foreign lotteries to scam charities to fortune tellers to chain letters and investment schemes. Once a citizen gets on these junk mailing lists, it becomes very difficult to stop future mailings. This is because criminals regularly trade and sell mailing lists of citizens who they believe to be susceptible to fraud.

Annuities: Beware Unsuitable Investments to Seniors
The Minnesota Attorney General has taken legal action against several insurance companies over their sale of long-term, high surrender charge annuities. With billions of dollars in sales to be made, insurance companies may offer commissions as high as 10 percent to agents to sell products like long-term deferred annuities to senior citizens. In this environment, consumers should arm themselves with information to protect their interests.

Beware of Scams Targeting Grandparents
Minnesotan grandparents report a new scam where a con artist impersonates a grandchild in distress. The con artist exploits the love and generosity of the grandparent by pretending to be a grandchild in trouble and in need of emergency funds.

Nursing Homes and Assisted Living
With the aging population, more Minnesotans will find themselves seeking nursing home or assisted living residence for themselves or a loved one in the coming years.

Seniors Legal Rights
This is a comprehensive guide especially for seniors.  It contains advice about fraud aimed at seniors, estate planning, wills and many other topics.

Seniors Guide to Fighting Fraud
This newsletter is a guide to protect seniors against fraud. It explains different kinds of scams and gives you tell-tale signs that point to fraud.

Beware of Unlicensed Health Plans
Citizens should be wary of companies that offer health discount plans, prescription drug discount plans, home health or longterm care plans or other products that sound affordable but provide little, if any, benefit.

Consumer Tips on Propane Gas Costs
Consumers may be surprised to learn, however, that the delivery and pricing of propane gas is not regulated like other utilities in the State.

Long Term Care Insurance
If you’re thinking about buying a long-term care insurance policy, the Attorney General’s Office encourages you to take your time and shop around, check out the company and agent, and be sure to review the policy and its requirements.

Probate and Planning: A Guide to Planning for the Future
This valuable tool for the planning process addresses wills and the probate process. In addition, it describes living trusts, conservatorships, powers of attorney, health care directives and planning a funeral. Further, downloadable forms are available for power of attorney, revocation of power of attorney, health care directive, and a table of Minnesota heirship.

Managing Managed Care-Of Particular Note To Seniors
As a senior you may have specific health care concerns. Maybe the cost of prescription drugs is alarming you. Maybe the Medicare supplement policies you are considering seem confusing. Here are some tips to deal with the cost of prescriptions and your changing health care needs.

Sweepstakes Information
Certain sweepstakes operators have blanketed the public’s mailboxes with deceptive promotions that have bilked many consumers out of thousands of dollars a year.  Many mailings mislead consumers into believing that they have won a valuable prize or that their chances of winning big will increase if the consumer buys merchandise from the sweepstakes company.

Avoid Investment Scams
Don’t be tempted by a persuasive sales pitch or the lure of “high guaranteed returns.” Any investment is risky, and high returns come with more risk—not guarantees.

Charities: Avoid Shams and Scams
This column is designed to provide tips to make sure that when you give a charitable gift, your money is being used as you intend.

Living Trust Mills
Senior citizens are often targeted by unscrupulous salespeople who instill and prey on seniors’ financial fears in order to sell unwanted, unnecessary and/ or unsuitable living trusts, legal plans, annuities, and other financial products.