Scams and Frauds - BE SMART - Talk about it

[Jim O'Bryan]

It pains me to mention this...

I just got off the phone with a Lakewood senior who was scammed out of savings because
she trusted someone, and wanted to help her grandchildren out with college tuition.

A person called saying she was the winner of a jackpot worth over $1,000,000 dollars and
all she had to do was pay the "winner's tax" and the funds would be released to her.

So she sent in the money order for $2,300 and guess what. They called back needing
more, and more and more. Finally she sensed a problem, and questioned them and they
have now disappeared.

The police have traced the number back to Canada, and while the bastards will need to
find new cell phones it is doubtful that his Lakewood resident will ever see her money, or
find any real satisfaction out of this.

Twenty years ago I had a family member taken for $30,000 through one of the now
most famous scams of all time. Prince whoever.

These creeps pray on elderly, they pray on the poor, they pray on the desperate. Please
have talks with your elderly friends. Make sure they know to call the police early and often.
Any legitimate organization would welcome the inquiry, and the verification that they
are who they claim to be and are doing what they say.

I directed her to the FBI and the Canadian authorities.

In the past we would hear, "Oh this is the time of year for frauds..." Well it is becoming
more and more anytime of year is the year to take advantage of people's good hearts
and their desperate need to believe help is on the way.

PLEASE speak with the seniors in your life before they become a statistic. This woman was
in tears over her loss, and it really took me back to when it hit a member of my family.
Most find it so embarrassing they never speak about it, and that is why they get prayed
upon.

.