Americans lose about $22 billion annually in scans and con games, Iola police officer Mike Ford said this week. WHILE STRANGERS are responsible for a vast amount of scams and con games, family members and caregivers often are just as guilty, Ford said, by having access to or control over a person’s finances, mail or medications. FORD noted other strategies, such as the so-called “grandparent scam,” are waning because of the added publicity. THE ONE thing all of the scammers have in common, Ford said, is greed — wanting to take what’s not rightfully theirs.
Occasionally, scammers attempt to strike locally, such as the case in recent days when a person purportedly with a Jamaican lottery contacted an Iola Townhouse resident.
The resident was in line for a hefty cash prize, the scammer said. All she needed was to pay over a modest sum to cover the so-called taxes and other fees, and the money was hers.
Fortunately, the woman did not send any money, Ford said. Instead, she called the police.
The Jamaican lottery scam is one of the largest-growing frauds in the country, Ford said, in part because it’s so difficult to prosecute perpetrators in a foreign country.
But it’s hardly the only con game going.
Ford presented several examples of fraud during an hourlong presentation Tuesday at the Townhouse.
Elderly are prime targets, Ford explained, because (1) they control 70 percent of the wealth in the United States; (2) they may be unable or unwilling to protect themselves fully as they age; and (3) their behavior (seniors tend to be polite and trusting, often lonely or alone and too proud to ask for help.)
Ford recounted how seniors can be targeted, through financial crimes, physical or emotional abuse or neglect.
Scammers have grown diversified in their attempts to find targets, by producing enticing prizes and sweepstakes or lucrative investments; home and automobile repair services; health remedies; travel offers; or they may present themselves as a representative for a local charity and in need of contributions.
They’ll also use old-fashioned means to find targets: mail or face-to-face contact.
Scammers can be persuasive, and occasionally confrontational in order to coerce their targets into responding.
“Gypsy” companies also are a major headache for law enforcement, by presenting themselves somebody able to do “emergency” home repairs, provided they receive an advanced deposit.
Problem is, most of those scammers either do substandard work, start but not finish, or don’t bother showing up at all, Ford said.
In that scam, a person pretends to be an elder’s grandchild, presenting himself as either injured in an accident, or in jail and in need of immediate cash — usually by telegram.
Aside from being naturally suspicious of unsolicited offers, Ford listed several avenues seniors can follow to avoid being taken in a scam.
Law enforcement, or courts and legal professionals usually are willing to step in at a moment’s notice.
Adult protective services programs, or local community or faith-based groups also have a person’s best interests in mind, Ford said.
Others who can help: county attorney’s officers, postal employees or mail carriers, housing authority representatives, elected officials, bankers, utility office personnel, health care agencies or nursing home employees.
And, they have unwitting victims.
By staying alert, and realizing that if something appears to be too good to be true, it probably is, folks of all ages can stay away from trouble, Ford said.
Scam awareness helps citizens
