Spot These 10 Scams Before They Ruin Your Retirement

Sweepstakes and lottery scams

These rip-offs target seniors by phone or through the mail. You might receive a call announcing that you’ve won a large sum of money or some other prize. All you have to do is provide personal information and a credit card number to claim it.

Or, a legitimate-looking check shows up in your mailbox with a notice that you’ve won a big prize. So, you deposit the check and think about how you’ll use the money once it clears.

Meanwhile, you get a congratulatory phone call — from the scammer, asking for credit card information to pay taxes or fees on your prize. And in a few days, the check bounces.

No legitimate contest operates that way.