Seniors are often a target for scammers who take advantage of a more trusting generation.
On Friday, the Crime Prevention Unit from Lima Police met with some local seniors to teach them about warning signs of a scam. Some seniors met at Westside United Methodist Church to learn how not to become victims of fraud.
The theme: don't be rude, but be shrewd with those who might call or knock on your door. Crime Prevention officials say you should never give out your personal information, like social security or credit card number, or even religious or political affiliation.
They say not to trust anyone who calls saying you have pending medical or other bills that might land you in jail if not paid. Scammers will often pose as the IRA, debt collectors or even family members.
"What they do is they call in the middle of the night and say 'grandma, grandpa, I'm in jail, I need you to send money.' Well, immediately, your first reaction is you start going through your grand kids. When they get a name they like, that's what they say, and they say to send them a prepaid card," said Diana Fowler with LPD Crime Prevention. "The other one is electric bills. They're going to call [and say they will] shut off your electric, that you need to go to Walmart and get a green dot card and send to another Walmart. Well, if you are going to pay AEP, you are going to pay AEP. That's where you would send it to. That should send a red flag to them that this is a scam."
Don't make a decision on the spot. If it's something you are truly concerned about, talk to a family member first or the police, before making a payment or sharing personal information.
