Let's all keep in mind that there are some of us who are still mentally alert and can feed ourselves.  I am 67 years young with a degree in electrical engineering.  I am retired from General Dynamics after 31 years and am still active in designing various types of electronic equipment.  Mostly RF equipment.  I still know my ABCs and last name.

Seniors are a favorite target, and those who are savvy and cynical when younger, can become "soft targets" as they get older.  I sometimes wonder if I will ever become a viable target myself.  

Even some "legitimate" businesses such as AARP (Aging Adults are Really Profitable) and Reader's Digest have been called to task for abusive approaches to elders, and then there are the TV preachers, sellers of meaningless insurance (like "cancer" policies), Irish Travelers and other elder-abusing "home improvement" scammers - the list goes on and on.  

If you can, find a way to help older family members on a regular basis.  Picking up their mail for them is a great way to catch the hucksters in the act.  New and younger "friends", discussion of someone doing work on the house, mentions of TV preachers, charities, etc., all merit vetting by you.  They may be legitimate, but often they aren't.  Perusal of their caller ID device isn't a bad idea either.  If they don't have one, buy one for them.

Keep an eye out for stashes of fundraising letters which are heavily personalised, often with "handwritten" notes - "God spoke to me late last night while I was praying for my ministry to continue, and told me that only you, Susan, could save my ministry from this terrible crisis, and that if you would only do this as an act of faith, you and all who you love will be rejoined in his house when you pass.  He told me that you have family members who have lost their way, especially your grandson Joey, who I have prayed over like you asked me to, but that he will keep them and watch over them because of you and your devotion to my ministry.  Susan, without your help, thousands of souls will perish because I will be unable to reach them, and that is why Satan is trying so hard to put obstacles in your path Susan, so that you will feel like you can't afford to help. Don't let him win Susan, God will reward your sacrifice." is a favorite pitch, which is repeated in various forms in letter after letter.  

It was the discovery of such abuse of an elderly family member when I was a young man that got me interested in battling these creeps.  It had gone on for a long time without anyone knowing it.  Only when the person had to start letting someone else handle much of their affairs did the problem become clear.  A lot of these sorts of letters had been hidden away so no one would know how much of their modest savings were being siphoned off by these apostate thieves.

Sad stuff perpatrated by truly evil people.  The previous generation watched out for us as kids, but getting them to let us switch roles with them can be really tough to do...

To everyone who has elderly family members, educate them about spam/scam and phishing phone calls; they will thank you. Encourage them to educate their friends, too, about these nasty people. The more the older generations can know, the better they will be able to defend themselves.

I also received the same check, same amount.  How do we stop this?  Some poor person is
going to fall for this, such as a senior citizen!

I also received same voucher, same reference number, same amount, but redeem by 2/15.
Assume as well, to good to be true!!

I got a check in the mail from them today that is non negotiable It looks like its from United Airlines as this is what it says on the check.  The check they sent me is for 1199.00 and says its good for 2 round trips tickets to anywhere in the US.  Vacation getaways are limited.  Must redeem by 02/01/2013 call 1-888-737-2242 and reference check # EE-4703 if not claimed goes onto the next individual.  So my guess is that you must of clicked on Vacation Getaways on the Website or Facebook.  If its too good to be true then pitch it or ignore it which I am going to do.  (FILE 13)