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WEEKLY
11/26/2008
Caution gives seniors protection from fraud
By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag
Communications
Senior citizens are
more likely than people
inother age groups t o
report fraud, but they
remain attractive tar-
gets because of life sirn-
ations that scam artists
can exploit.
"Seniors generally are
no more at risk of being
defrauded than the rest
of the population." said
Grant Hedgepeth, direc-
ror of t h e Consumer
Protection Division for
the state Office of the
Attorney General.
'Feople who suffer
because of physical or
emotional distress are
the ones who are sus-
ceptible. and unfortu-
zately. a large number
of seniors fall in this
gToup."
The t 3 pnonty
~ of the
-
ai:orn?s.. zezerafs oEce
is the protection oi soci-
eiy's most vuinerable
citizens.
-1 want to help our
~ e n i o r citizens avoid-
ever becoming victlms of
fraud," s a ~ d State
Attorney Geceral Jim
Hood. "Eyer;- single
zhing we do; from crack-
ing down on home
rspair fraud and id en^-
ry theR to elucabhg the
public about letters.
scams arrd ildail fraud.
has t>is 'nteni.'
Seniors often star
1
..
home, and those who The Xo. 1 place scam ma. "Keep recordings of
Live alone may be hun- artists obtain ~ e r s o n a l conversations or write
to prevent "~cissed' m e attoney general's
opportunity or ask $2: oflice is developing two
1
gry for attention, said information is the tt?m down because the any type of persocal publicatiocs to help
Bobbie Shaffett, family garbage can, Hedgepeth more information we information. senior citizens fight
resource management said. have, the more likely we To draw attention to financial abuse and
specialist with the Scam artists don't are to catch the perpe- consumer fraud ia:oi-:- fraud. The first, a 43-
Mississippi State a o r r y about getting trators." ing senior citizens. pay- page manual, targets
~ n i v e r s i t ~ - T x t e n s i o ncaught because most Seniors should be wary day loans and identitj- issues that seniors are
Service. M a n i o f them peopie do not notice or of allowing strangers theft, ShaEeti and other most likely to face. The 1
have home equity and camot discern who has inside their homes aith- financial advisers second is a manual for
investment wealth. she been rummaging. They out proper identitication waged a consumer edn- b&c to assist employ-
said. use any information or legitimate purpose. cation protection cam- ees in protecting the
"People generally have the:- find to con their Shatfett added. Most paign in February. financial idormation of
the most money they may into someone's telephone or cable Extension agents with customers. Both pubh-
ill earn in their life- home or steal someone's repair representatives. family resource man- cations should be avzil-
times right before they identity without taking for example, secure an agement responsibiliiies able soon, Bedgepeth
retire." Shaffett said. to the person. appointment time. also provide educatiocd said.
'Seniors should bpespe- --Adenti@ khefi-is no--..Om%-automatically ~ ~ -programs about fraud =~ - = h ~ bm*eeaa\<c-c-
~ d ~ -
cialiy protective of their the most common mime openthe door if someone d y i n g the year. tim,even the police offi-
nest egg because they in the United States and shows up unexpectedly' ,'The importance of cers, attorneys and
are no longer earning a surpassed the number SnaEett said. saving money. especiany reporters who uork
steady income.' of drug cases nationally Eie said seniors for emergency needs. together to protect dl
Seniors oRen fee! they in 2OC'i. Hedgepeth should hear aarning cannot be emphasize; citizens. he said. 'Ke're
w-ill need as much cash noted. si5nals when pushy enough,' ShafFett said. from the Sourh and
as possible to pap some- 'One in six Zaericans. strangers steer soclsl "Peopie oftec i u m to rve're taugh; to be
one to take care of them including senior ciri- conversation to m':e?:- payday l e n d ~ r sbecaus? poliis. but don't a3ow
as they age, but ShatTett zens. has been \<ctim- r!tilts or Sr,mcea, ure? :ney don't hare morr:: 9 . 2 3 3 axistd to put your
encouraged seciors to ized by identity theft:" qlllck decision mahr.: and are vu1nerabie.- name on ihe sucker list.'
exercise healthy skepti- he said.
cism in money matters. SeLiors can get help by
'?.lany of :he people in contacting ihe attoney
tha: age group were generays office toll free
raised in an era where at 1-800-281-Ui8. They
people :rnsted others can aiao contact the
because theli had to rely S e c r e t a r y 2 Siare's $
on each other,' Shaffett Office, t b Better '
raid. BilsinessBureau or a
u iqvestments cannot locai Law enforcement
be converted 'at0 cash agency They should
quickly. seniors may report a scam even if
panic when they sud- they don't fa11 for it io
denly need money. At assist law enforcement . .
this point. desperation in apprehendinp c:im-
and a s n c o t h - i a l ~ i n g nale.
scam artist can cloud 'If a person receives a
good judgment and cre- e-mail or prixed ma;er-
aie a faise secse of secu- la1 b: mail. save it aild
11i:;. get it to us." H ~ d e ~ p e r h