Don't get scammed, state advises

WASSAIC — A representative from Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s office attended a senior citizens’ meeting at the Wassaic Firehouse on Thursday, Nov. 12, to discuss the perils of fraud and how to avoid becoming a financial victim.

That representative, Nick Garin, who accompanied Amenia town Supervisor Wayne Euvrard to the morning’s event, said people over the age of 65 make up almost 13 percent of the country’s population but represent 30 percent of scam victims.

Different scam operations were reviewed, including charitable fraud, where fraudulent charitable organizations hire professional telemarketers to solicit funds for charities that don’t exist. As a rule, Garin said, even valid charities operating with professional telemarketers only see 15 percent of the donations collected. He advised citizens to donate in person.

“Try and stay local,†Euvrard suggested. “Contribute to the fire company or the Lions Club or the Boy Scouts. You know that 100 percent of your donation will go where it’s supposed to go.â€

Consumer fraud is another potentially dangerous area. Home improvement contractors can run scams involving any aspect of home improvement, whether it’s chimney repair or blacktop resurfacing.

The thing to be most cautious of is unsolicited offers for reduced prices on contracting work, Garin stressed. If it’s too good to be true, he said, it probably is.

Identity theft was also touched upon. Garin advised residents that freezing your credit report is an easy way to ensure that no one can apply for credit or a loan under that name.

Residents were handed out informational pamphlets providing helpful advice to avoid being the victim of a scam. Euvrard said copies would be kept and made available at Town Hall for reference.

“The easiest people to scam are seniors,†Garin said. “You’re in a position where you have to trust somebody because you don’t really know yourself.â€

He also urged seniors who felt they were being targeted for a scam to report any suspicious behavior or activity to the Attorney General’s office, which can be reached at 1-800-771-7755 or at oag.state.ny.us.