Life insurance is a wonderful way to offer security for your family. Unfortunately, it’s also a good way for insurance agents to generate commissions via unethical practices. In the past decade, life insurance scams, especially those targeting the elderly, have been on the rise.

Churning

An easy way for agents to make extra money is by targeting people who already hold life insurance policies. If you’re already paying premiums, an agent doesn’t have to convince you of the benefits of insurance; they just have to sell you on their particular insurance. By convincing you to switch to their company, they earn a commission with little effort. However, many insurance policies require a waiting period of over a decade before benefits are accessible. Changing carriers can be beneficial for younger policyholders, but senior citizens may never be able to access their benefits. Unfortunately, unscrupulous agents often deliberately push new policies on senior citizens. You and your family can avoid this by finding a reputable, licensed agent and carefully reviewing any policy changes they recommend.

Twisting

Twisting is similar to certain unethical practices used by the mortgage industry. In this practice, agents misrepresent your income or net worth so you qualify for a larger policy. This results a big commission for the agent and a big headache for you. The agent may even combine your old policies into a new, unaffordable plan. If you don’t make the monthly payments, you lose all of your benefits, even those you’ve been paying for over the years. Before signing any new life insurance policy, make sure you understand the terms completely.

Bait and Switch

Although less common than churning or twisting, a new scam is on the rise, especially among agents who prey on the elderly. With a bait and switch, an agent promises one type of insurance, has you sign all the paperwork, and then creates a different type of policy for you. In Florida, agents promised senior citizens low health insurance costs then had them fill out an application for life insurance. The agents lost their licenses and were arrested, but this scam could show up again anywhere in the country.

STOLI

Stranger-owned life insurance is a new kind of investment tool. Older Americans, especially the wealthy, are offered insurance policies paid for by a third party. In many cases, the victims of this scam are also offered free medical exams or gift cards for participating. After a year or two, the senior citizen has two choices: pay back all of the premiums, plus interest, or give up the insurance policy to the outside party paying for it.

STOLI is causing major problems in the life insurance industry and damaging the business prospects of many firms. Life insurance was intended to provide some security for families who lose their loved ones. Now that it’s being used as an investment tool, life insurance firms may be forced to change their policies to the detriment of everyday citizens trying to provide for their family.

In some states, legislators are working to criminalize scams like churning or STOLI. In others, agents who pushed these scams have already been arrested. Unfortunately, legal punishment comes too late for the families who have suffered from these horrible practices. Make sure your loved ones know how to avoid life insurance scams. Help them find a reputable agent. You can protect yourself, and your family, by being aware of unscrupulous practices.