Article Contributed on: 6/3/2009 11:28:52 AM
Jefferson County Sheriff warns seniors of scams
Jefferson County Sheriff Ted Mink welcomed a crowd of more than 114 to a senior safety lunch June 2 at the
Light of the World Church in Littleton. The free lunch was designed to educate seniors on how to prevent fraud and identity theft. The annual event rotates each year between the south, north and mountain districts.
Mink introduced members of the Jeffco Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention team, while investigators and deputies distributed print literature and retired cell phones programmed to call 911.
Allison Carver with the American Association of Retired Persons spoke about how to use a security freeze as a weapon against identity theft. A freeze means a credit report file can't be shared with potential creditors. Although there is a cost, Carver said the time involved to correct a compromised credit history could take 40 hours.
Entertainment was provided by Littleton-based
Joe Peterson's Dance Band. Soloists performed tunes such as Moonlight Serenade and Chattanooga Choo Choo.
When Mink asked who had been a victim of fraud or identity theft at least seven people responded.
One woman said her credit card had just been issued and before she got the card, someone had charged nearly $1,000 on it.
Littleton resident Cathy Humann said her credit card company called and asked her if she was in Europe, because they noticed she had made a purchase at Home Depot in Littleton one day and the next day someone was charging $850 worth of clothing on her card in Italy.
Investigator Mark Techmeyer said the department did not track numbers of crimes against seniors separately from other crimes.
Crime prevention deputy Gordon Neuenfeldt, who organized the lunch, said, "We have noticed an increase in the south precinct in the number of frauds and impersonations. It's obviously a growth area and there are scams coming out of Canada."
Techmeyer and Neuenfeldt described what's called the "Hello Grandma" scam.
Techmeyer said it has seen a resurgence in the last year. Funneled through Canada, it has been traced to originate in Nigeria.
A caller poses as a grandchild who's been arrested in a foreign country and needs $3,000 to get out of jail. The caller begs the grandparent not to tell the parents.
"The victims run down to Western Union and send the money. It's a numbers game," Neuenfeldt said.
Techmeyer said Jeffco Sheriff's Office appreciates seniors because they are often home during the day and serve as the eyes and ears of neighborhoods.
"Seniors are a huge resource for us. They may notice a suspicious car. We tell them to call us. If it turns out to be nothing, we're glad it's nothing," Techmeyer said.
Jefferson County District Attorney Scott Storey told the crowd of his goals to expand on the Crimes Against Seniors Exploitation (CASE) partnership, an outreach program that offers free fraud seminars to homeowners associations and church or civic groups.
"I would love to develop a crimes against seniors unit. We are aging in population and aging at a rapid rate, so there a lot of us out there," he said.
Storey explained a new program called TRIAD, which Is an agreement between local law enforcement, service providers and older or retired volunteers to work together at monthly meetings to discuss other related issues that seniors face.
"It's gaining momentum," Storey said.
up next
The next CASE presentation is scheduled for 1 p.m. June 23 at
Developmental Disabilities Resource Center, 11177 W. 8th Ave.,
Lakewood for Jefferson County residents.
To schedule a power against fraud presentation, call CASE Coordinator
Cary Johnson at 303-271-6970 or e-mail csjohnso@jeffco.us.