BREWER – Steps for protecting area businesses and businesspeople from would-be scam artists will be the focus of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce’s next Early Bird Breakfast, set for 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the Muddy Rudder Restaurant.

The Attorney General’s Office, which is charged with protecting Maine residents and businesses, has identified a number of business crimes and scams currently operating in the state. In some instances, the safety of a business’ financial security has been put at risk.

In his address, “For Your Protection: Business Crimes and Scams,” Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe said he will look at steps that area businesses can take to prevent electronic data breaches and what should be done if a breach occurs.

Rowe said Wednesday that he also will address the growing problems of identity theft and organized business crime.

Chamber President Candy Guerette said the topic is a relevant one to the organization’s membership.

“I think that businesses are getting scammed,” she said. “It’s one of the hottest issues in Maine. I’ve even had them call me.”

Dennis “Don” Soucy, a retired insurance and real estate salesman and former Bangor mayor, said Wednesday that he has received at least three telephone calls in the last few weeks seeking such personal information as the last four digits of his Social Security number and his home address, among other things.

One of the callers was attempting to get Soucy to pay a late balance for a credit card account he did not even have, he said.

“I said, ‘I don’t think so,’ and that was the end of it,” said Soucy, who is 78. “It just burns me up. People are too quick to give information, especially what their address and Social Security number is. People should know that banks and credit unions don’t operate that way.”

There is a fee for attending the breakfast. More information is available by calling the chamber at 947-0307, or by e-mailing the chamber at chamber@bangorregion.com.

dgagnon@bangordailynews.net

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