Forum to help seniors detect frauds, scams

Fraud can strike anyone, but seniors are at particular risk. It’s not something you like to think about, but remember that knowledge is power – and despite what you may have heard, ignorance is not bliss.

In order to educate seniors and their families on the ways and means of protecting themselves, Penobscot County Area Triad is offering the Fraud Prevention Forum. TRIAD is an organization comprising law enforcement representatives, seniors and social service agencies.

“Scammers don’t take time off,” said Charlie Sias, vice chairman of TRIAD. “We have a vision for this forum, which is that seniors will walk in with their children and grandchildren.”

The forum is co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice, District of Maine U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and local police and sheriff’s departments.

Some of the topics to be covered are:

. Financial fraud – criminals pitching fraudulent investments either through the mail, by phone or ads in the newspaper.

. Predatory lending – crooked appraisers or unscrupulous lenders cheating seniors with refinancing scams.

. Identity theft – a person acquiring your personal information and then, in some cases, taking over bank accounts and Social Security benefits. The person also may apply for credit cards in your name.

. Local scams and home repairs – a door-to-door salesperson who may offer some home repair at an attractive price but then charges more, and leaves the job half-finished or in worse repair than before.

. Phone fraud – someone acquiring your phone number or calling-card number and running up your bill. Also, if you are asked to return a call with an 809 area code, don’t do it. It’s a scam. The area code is in the Dominican Republic, and similar to a 900 number. The call could cost you thousands of dollars.

Professionals who deal with fraud and are eager to help seniors and others outsmart the scam artists will facilitate these 30- to 45-minute sessions.

During breaks, you may want to peruse the booth exhibits. Eastern Agency on Aging, Maine Center on Aging, Legal Services for the Elderly, retirement housing, financial services and an ambulance service are but a few of the organizations that will be on hand.

Now, get a pen and circle Saturday, April 26, on your calendar. The forum will be held 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Penobscot Job Corps, 1375 Union St., Bangor. Space is limited, so pre-registration by April 19 is strongly recommended. The cost is $2 and includes a hot, catered lunch of chicken or fish, salad, vegetables and dessert. Beverages will be served throughout the day.

Registration forms are available at Eastern Agency offices or call 941-2865 and one will be mailed to you.

“A great many fraudulent activities are aimed at seniors,” said Sias. “This activity, unfortunately, is not decreasing. It is on the rise. New schemes and scams come along every day that bilk millions of dollars from Americans every year. We want to increase the awareness of people and help them keep from becoming victims.”

I am happy to announce that Meals for Me is halfway to its goal of raising $8,000 through the Feinstein Foundation Challenge. The foundation will match a percentage of the money raised by Meals for Me. If you’d like to contribute, send a check, made out to Meals for Me Challenge, to Meals for Me, 450 Essex St., Bangor 04401. Donations must be received by April 30 in order to be eligible for the match.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. For information on EAA programs and services, call 941-2865 or log on www.eaaa.org.