Scam spelled with scrabbles on a wooden table

⚠️ The Call No Grandparent Wants to Get

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Protecting Your Nest Egg: The Scams Targeting Retirees — and How to Outsmart Them

Imagine getting a call in the middle of the night.
A shaky voice says, “Grandpa, it’s me — I’m in Mexico. I’ve been in an accident. Please don’t tell Mom or Dad — I just need $5,000 to get home.”

You’d do anything to help, right?
That’s exactly what scammers count on.

🎙️ This Week’s Podcast: “Protecting Your Nest Egg”

In this week’s episode of Healthy Wealthy Retirement, Mark Struthers shares how retirees are being targeted by increasingly sophisticated scams — some even using AI-generated voices and spoofed caller IDs that sound eerily real.

👉 You can listen here:

video preview​

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🧠 Why Retirees Are Prime Targets

Retirees hold most of the wealth in the U.S., and criminals know it.
They prey on emotion — not logic.

Common scams Mark covers:

  • 🚨 “Grandparent” emergencies
  • 💸 Fake calls from the IRS, Medicare, or Social Security
  • 🏦 Phishing emails that look like Schwab or Fidelity
  • ❤️ Online romance scams
  • 🪙 “You’ve won a prize” sweepstakes or investment schemes

These scams all share the same traits: urgency, secrecy, and pressure.

🛡️ How to Stay Protected

Charles Schwab’s SchwabSafe® program guarantees reimbursement for unauthorized activity — but no custodian can protect funds you willingly transfer to a scammer.
That’s where awareness comes in.

Mark’s 7 Smart Protection Habits:

  1. Use unique passwords or a password manager
  2. Turn on two-factor authentication
  3. Keep your devices and browsers updated
  4. Freeze your credit (it’s free and reversible)
  5. Limit what you share on social media
  6. Add a Trusted Contact on your Schwab account
  7. Review your accounts weekly
💡 If something feels off, stop. Verify. Call the official number on your statement — not the one that called you.

⚡ If You Think You’ve Been Hit

  1. Call your bank or custodian immediately
  2. Change passwords everywhere
  3. File a report at IdentityTheft.gov​
  4. Freeze your credit and set up alerts
  5. Document everything

Speed matters more than shame.

🧾 Free Download for Subscribers

We’ve created a free checklist to help you measure your risk:
​“Am I at Risk of Having My Identity Stolen or Being a Victim of Fraud?”

It’s a simple yes/no worksheet based on real-world scenarios we see every day.

➡️ Get the Free Checklist” link=Am-I-At-Risk-Of-Having-My-Identity-Stolen-Or-Being-A-Victim-Of-Fraud (1).pdf​

This is the same tool we use in our Sona Wealth reviews — and it takes just five minutes to complete.

🌿 Final Thought from Mark

“Protecting your retirement isn’t about paranoia — it’s about preparation.
The goal isn’t to hide from technology, it’s to use it wisely.
When you’re proactive, you can focus on what really matters — living a healthy, wealthy retirement.”

Stay safe and stay smart,
​Mark Struthers, CFA, CFP®​
Founder | Sona Wealth Advisors​
​www.SonaWealthAdvisors.com​

P.S.​
Know someone who might fall for a scam like the “grandparent” call?
Forward this email — it could save them thousands.

If you don’t have a plan and would like to get one, schedule an Intro Meeting:

To health and wealth!

Mark Struthers, CFA, CFP®, CRC®, RMA®

For current clients looking for a meeting:

This commentary is provided for general information purposes only, should not be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice, and does not constitute an attorney/client relationship. Past performance of any market results is no assurance of future performance. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed.

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If you don’t have a plan and would like to get one, schedule a Discovery Meeting:

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To health and wealth!

Mark Struthers, CFA, CFP®, CRC®, RMA®

For current clients looking for a meeting:

Current Client Click To Schedule

This commentary is provided for general information purposes only, should not be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice, and does not constitute an attorney/client relationship. Past performance of any market results is no assurance of future performance. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed.

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