A friend of mine always says that Estate Sales are just fancy garage sales and he could not be farther from the truth. Good estate sale companies have many contacts and experience in selling the many possessions that seniors collect throughout the years. When I interview estate sale contacts I am always amazed on the items they see as "valuable" and some items I would see as "high worth" have little if any value.
"We can't believe how much we received from the estate sale profits. We paid for Mom & Dad's move to the senior living facility and added some $ to their savings which is great and the estate sale comapany did the work"
Elder or Senior Fraud has recently become one of the fastest growing areas in crime. There are some very reputable companies that service the Senior Market and do a great job but there is also a growing minority that try and take advantage of our seniors.
Types of Business that have been targeted by fraudulent companies
Why Target Seniors?
Action Step: When suspicious of a strange phone call or somebody at your door, hang up or shut door and call family or friends and explain situation.
Action Step: If you feel or suspect you were part of a fraud, you should call the Police.
Golden Nugget: Some families have been successful by setting a dollar amount that brings others in decisions. The dollar amount may be $100 in some situations and $1,000 in others. Access to the senior’s checking account and weekly spot checks should help discover issues quickly.
6 minute YouTube Video describing the mechanics of a great estate sale.
