Senior citizens are getting taken in big numbers when they go to "free" seminar lunches or dinners. There's a federal-state joint investigation right now seeking to expose the practice of sales people trying to pitch seniors all kinds of investments, trusts and other products that our elders don't need. Of all the complaints filed with state securities regulators, Dow Jones reports that a third of them come from senior citizens. Meanwhile, roughly a third of all enforcement actions taken by the states are against con artists who have been ripping off seniors. A lot of older people have an old-fashioned sense of values, so if someone offers them a meal they feel obligated to that person or company. Cons know this and prey on the elderly. The problem is that you have no idea what kind of investment fraud you might be getting pulled into if you go to one of these "free" meals. Clark advises people to call their parents and grandparents and alert them to this problem. That "free" lunch your elderly parent may be considering would be better served by you. Go take your parents and grandparents out for a meal and you'll help protect their retirement savings and fulfill their need for companionship at the same time!