“Kim, I found a lovely little dresser on Facebook Marketplace, and someone’s selling concert tickets for my choir friends. But how do I know I’m not being cheated? One seller already asked me to pay a…

This one trips people up: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is not the same as your Social Security check. Social Security is based on the work you did over your life. SSI is a separate, need-based p…

Mom called me sounding a little flattered and a little unsure all at once. “Kim, there’s a gentleman from the book club group online. He started sending me private messages a few weeks ago. He’s very …

Mom asked me something one afternoon that I’ve thought about ever since. “Kim, how do you always know it’s a scam so fast? You barely let them finish.” And I told her the honest truth: half the time, …

Some of the most relieved people I ever counseled were those who learned they could have both Medicare and Medicaid at the same time. It even has a name — being “ dual-eligible ” — and it’s genuinely …

Mom mentioned it in passing. “Kim, I saw an ad — an easy work-from-home job, good pay, just processing payments and reshipping a few packages. They even want to send me a check to get started. A littl…

Mom was selling Dad’s old fishing boat and called me puzzled. “Kim, a buyer sent me a check for $3,000 more than the price — he says it was a mistake and asked me to just wire the extra back to his sh…

People mix up Medicare and Medicaid all the time — the names are almost the same, but they’re very different programs. Medicare is health insurance for people 65 and older, no matter their income. Med…

Mom called sounding delighted and doubtful at once. “Kim, I got a letter — and then a call — saying I won a $50,000 sweepstakes! But they say I have to pay $500 in taxes and fees first before they can…

When the heating bill arrives in January or the air conditioning runs all August, I’ve seen seniors choose between staying comfortable and buying groceries. Please don’t make that choice alone — there…