Are you a senior or do you have loved ones who are seniors? If so, Scammed by Art Maines is a must read for you. Today I am honored to welcome Art Maines to So Many Precious Books, So Little Time.
Hi Art, thanks so much for joining us today!
Can you please tell us a bit about yourself ?
Sure! I’m a licensed clinical social worker, and I spend the biggest part of my days doing psychotherapy and counseling with clients for a variety of issues. On my days off I love bicycling (I rode over 1200 miles last year), cooking, and trying new restaurants, among other interests. I love anything that makes me laugh, too.
What compelled you to write a book about protecting seniors from getting Scammed?
My stepfather, Bill, was a scam victim to the tune of $70,000 in 2009. He’s been a part of my life since I was 6, and I saw first-hand the devastation this kind of crime can bring. I realized I had an opportunity to share with others what I was learning about scam recovery and prevention, so I decided to write the book to help others avoid getting ripped off.
When I heard about your book Scammed, I immediately thought of my mother in-law. Although what I call a scam is actually legal. A guy went around her apartment building knocking on doors. For the low price of $4000 he will refinish your dining room table. She bought into it because it was low monthly payments. Her table would have been better off in a land fill, it was certainly not worth it to refinish for any price. LOL! Is there anything we can do to protect our loved ones from getting scammed by situations that are scummy but legal?
There are so many of these types of things! The main points I want family members to remember is to pay attention and stay connected to their elder. Scams frequently happen in isolation, and I recommend that concerned younger adults talk to their elder regularly about any situations like this and remind them to always ask someone they know and trust for their opinion on an unusual expense. This is part of what I call conducting a regular “scam drill,” like a fire drill, with a senior.
You made a lot of very important points in Scammed, what do you think the most important thing that those of us with elderly parents should take away from it and remember?
Teach and reinforce with your parent the basic philosophy for scam prevention, which can be summed up as “Never let yourself be chosen, always do the choosing.”
What is next for you? Will you write another book, do speaking engagements, etc.
I have been very busy with speaking engagements with seniors, their families, and professionals. I love doing talks and training, so I intend to do more of those. I’d like to begin offering teleseminars to reach more people as well. I’ve also started gathering notes for what I’m thinking will be an e-book I’ve tentatively titled “Brain Hijackers,” about the neuroscience of scamming and what that implies for effective scam prevention. I have plenty of enthusiasm and curiosity to keep me going!
About Art Maines:
Art Maines, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice, speaker, and expert in elderly fraud recovery and prevention. He earned his Master’s Degree in social work from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Art and his stepfather Bill live in St. Louis.
Please read my thoughts on Scammed here.
Thanks to Art, I am giving away one copy of Scammed. It is available in Print or Kindle. Those in the U.S. or Canada, will have their choice. An international winner will receive the Kindle version. This giveaway ends on February 27, 2013. Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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Tour Stops:
So Many Precious Books Jan 21 Review
So Many Precious Books Jan 21 Interview & Giveaway
My Life Jan 22 Feature & Excerpt
I Feel So Unnecessary Jan 23 Review
I Feel So Unnecessary Jan 24 Guest Post
Teena In Toronto Jan 25 Review
Sweeps 4 Bloggers Jan 28 Review & Giveaway
Thoughts in Progress Jan 29 Guest Post
JoyStory Jan 30 Review
Writing Daze Feb 5th Guest Post
A Book Lover’s Library Feb 6 Guest Post
Melissa’s Midnight Musings Feb 7 Review
Melissa’s Midnight Musings Feb 8 Guest Post
She Treads Softly Feb 11 Review
She Treads Softly Feb 12 Guest Post
My Devotional Thoughts Feb 15 Guest Post
MN Girl in LA Feb 25 Review
MN Girl in LA Feb 26 Interview
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