Seniors warned of scams at forum
Bangor event focuses on safety
By Meg Haskell
BDN Staff
11/7/08
BANGOR, Maine — As it turns out, the golden years may not be all they’re cracked up to be. On Thursday, about 135 area senior citizens turned out for a free, daylong review of hazards they should recognize and avoid if they hope to live long and prosper.
Dangers ranging from slippery scatter rugs and downed power lines to identity theft and elder abuse were on the agenda,
Desrosiers told his rapt audience about an electronic device known as a “skimmer” — a pocket-sized device that can copy credit or debit card information for later use in making a false card. Similar technology allows scammers to booby-trap an automatic teller machine to copy information off cards inserted into it.
“There are a lot of high-tech schemes out there,” he said.
Orono police Sgt. Scott Scripture emphasized the importance of destroying any papers that contain financial information, such as bank statements. “A shredder is the best investment you can make,” he said.
Scripture also warned of telephone scams targeting older people, such as a recent call received by an Orono man from a bogus “grandson” pleading for $5,400 to get him out of legal jam in Canada.
Rick Mooers of the state Office of Adult Protective Services told the group that physical and emotional abuse and financial exploitation of seniors are all too common in Maine, with 15,000 cases reported each year and many more that go unreported. Even family members and caregivers can take advantage of the elderly, he said. He urged elders to enlist the services of their own attorneys before signing any legal, medical or financial documents.
Mooers also encouraged the group to contact his office with any suspected cases of abuse. People reporting abuses needn’t have a lot of information before making the call, he said.
“We’ll do the investigating,” Mooers said. “We’re the opposite of Fox News — you report, we’ll decide.”
Sheriff Ross also cautioned the seniors to be vigilant about door-to-door handyman services, warning them to insist on solid references and a formal contract for any work to be done.
Abridged
SOURCE: Bangor Daily News
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