8/28/2019 Cha harlottesville/Albemarle TRIA RIAD SCAMS FRAUD and ABUSE! Observations and Lessons • Even the best of us can let out guard down… • If you don’t recognize the caller… Don’t answer the phone • Or..Just hang up • Most of the time, if its’ lost, its’ lost • She reported the crime and was able to get help • Knowledge is power • How do we learn more? • Form partnerships like TRIAD, and share … Stay informed • Medicare – FTC Video What is TRIAD Charlottesville/Albemarle TRIAD • TRIAD is a cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies, senior • TRIAD is coordinated at the state level through the Office of the citizens, and senior organizations, focused on reducing crimes against Attorney General - OAG our most vulnerable citizens: our seniors. • TRIAD was established in 1988 when three national organizations agreed that the elderly could better be protected by cooperative efforts. The relationship was cemented when the organizations • The Charlottesville/Albemarle TRIAD consists of the Albemarle County - the Ameri rican an Associat ation of Retired Pers rsons (AARP), International Associat ation of Chiefs of Police and the City of Charlottesville Police Departments, City of (IACP), and the National Sheri riffs' Associat ation (NSA) - signed a cooperative agreement. Charlottesville Sheriffs Office, the Albemarle County Sheriffs Office, as well as senior and retired volunteers who have committed to work together to reduce criminal victimization of senior citizens. • This is our local support group… we own this 1
8/28/2019 Charlottesville/Albemarle TRIAD Why – Target Seniors Goal • The goal of TRIAD is to reduce the fear of crime and victimization • Baby Boomers • Born between 1946 -1964 (the Leading-Edge 1946-1955) among seniors by increasing awareness of scams and frauds targeting • The fastest growing community in the nation. our 55 and older population, • Right now there are 10,000 folks per day turning 65. • Strengthen communication between the law enforcement and senior • By 2025 25% of Virginia’s population will be 60+ communities, • Play on our Fears • and inform seniors of local, state, and federal resources that are • Frailties of aging available. • Dependence on others • Isolation – not exposed to awareness of scams • We want to be Empowered Seniors not victims. Who are the perpetrators? 5 things you need to remember about SCAMS • Strangers - preying on older people who may be isolated, lonely, • If the Offer Seems Too Good to be True, it is confused, or desperate for attention. • Never Pay up front • Family members - to whom the person wants to stay connected. • Always take 24 hours to make a decision • Caregivers - (family and other) who use fear or guilt to take • Don’t Click on links advantage of a senior. • If in doubt Call the OAG Consumer Protection Hot Line – • (804) 786-2042 SCAMS Scams in VA • #1 The Offer Seems Too Good to be True … • CONSUMER ALERT: ATTORNEY GENERAL HERRING WARNS VIRGINIANS ABOUT IRS IMPOSTER SCAMS • It almost certainly is. • Attorney General Mark Herring cautioned consumers to remain • Examples include money left to you from an unknown relative, being awarded a loan or grant for which you did not apply, winning a lottery you did not vigilant about IRS/tax imposter scams. - RICHMOND (September 2016) enter and being selected to receive a share in funds in return for using your • The Virginia Attorney General’s Office has received many reports of bank account. instances in which Virginia residents were contacted via telephone or e-mail by an individual who claimed to be with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) trying to trick consumers into making payments or giving up their personal information. 2
8/28/2019 Jury Scams Scams in general • E-mails may appear official with government seals and logos. • Citizens have been targeted by phone calls and emails, threatening them with prosecution for failing to comply • To make things worse, the scammers often have technology that with jury service in federal or state courts. masks their caller ID information, or may indicate that the call is • In the calls and emails, recipients are pressured to provide coming from the IRS when it, in fact, it’s not. confidential data, potentially leading to identity theft and fraud. These calls and emails, which threaten recipients with fines and jail time if they do not comply, are fraudulent and are not connected with any U.S. court. • Scammers actually used the phone number for Sheriff's Office. Scams Scams • They Want your Private Personal Information • #2 Requests for Fees – Never Pay up front • Many scams involve getting hold of your bank account details. Scams • Scammers will want advance payments or fees to clear the funds or involving identity theft also seek personal information. complete their offer. • A common scenario is an email supposedly from a bank asking you to • It might not be clear what the fees are for, but the scammer will tell you they click on a link to confirm your bank details and password. have to be paid or the money can’t be released. • If you think the email has really come from your bank, pick up the • They might suggest they are only trying to help you out and the fees are a phone and confirm this with them, but banks don’t do this. small sum compared to what you will be receiving. • Never pay fees or taxes in advance. • Never click on links or attachments in emails from people you don’t know or you risk your computer becoming infected by viruses, • #3 Take time to make any decision, do your research trojans, or other malware. SCAMS – Most Common SCAMS – Don’t • #4 Don’t click on hyperlinks in e-mails • Medicare – FTC Video • Foreign Lotteries • Don’t say “Yes” on the phone • Tech Support Scams – FTC Video link • They may be recording the call • Home Repair or Improvement scams • Don’t throw it away! Be careful what you throw in the trash - • Grandparent Scam “Dumpster Divers” • Phishing e-mails OR TEXT – Problem with bank account • Use a paper Shredder • Phony Charities – Police or Fire • Don’t Pay by Wire Transfer • Investment – Free lunch seminar for investments – SEC Link • Medical – Natural cures, weight loss • Don’t Pay by Gift Card • “Sweetheart” Swindles • Don’t buy a Gift Card when the code is already scratched off! • Phony Rx – Phone or letter, may appear to be from Medicare • Don’t buy a Pre -paid Debit card – beware of hidden fees • Identity Theft Video – asking for SSN or bank account number 3
8/28/2019 #5 Call for Resources, Check them out! Resources • 911 • Medicare - (800) MEDICARE • Non-Emergency (434) 977-9041 – Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle ECC • Annual Credit Report www.AnnualCreditReport.com • Charlottesville-Albemarle TRIAD - www.CharlottesvilleAlbemarleTriad.org • Adult Protective Services (888) 832-3858 • Office of the Attorney General – (800) 552-9963 – Consumer Protection Hot Line • JABA (434) 817-5222 www.jabacares.org • If victim of Identity Theft get the ID Theft Passport issued by the OAG • www.Crimemapping.com • Report & Get a copy of the Incident Report • The ID Theft Passport is issued by the OAG www.CharlottesvilleAlbemarleTriad.org • “Do Not Call” registry – (888) 382-1222 www.donotcall.gov CALocalTriad@gmail.com • Scam Alerts from the FTC ftc.gov/scams also (877) – ID-Theft Test your knowledge What are 5 things you need to remember about Scams Fact or Fiction • If the Offer Seems Too Good to be True, it almost certainly is • Never Pay up front – Never pay $ to get $ Spam Scam Slam • Always take 24 hours to make a decision – Sleep on it • Don’t Click on links / Check before you Click • If in doubt – Check them out • Call the OAG Consumer Protection Hot Line - (804) 786-2042 / (800) 552-9963 • Call Local Law Enforcement Other Safety Presentations Tha hank you! • House of Worship Security • Active Shooter • General Home Safety • Personal Safety and Awareness • Emergency Preparedness www.CharlottesvilleAlbemarleTriad.org CALocalTriad@gmail.com 4
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