State Senator Paul Faraci Gives Seniors Annual Warning about Scams; and the Various Tactics Used

A full house of attendees Monday morning (July 15th), at the CRIS Healthy Aging building on Franklin Street in Danville, heard an important annual message from State Senator Paul Faraci and Heather Calcara from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.  The topic was scams that affect seniors.  One constant theme was that with all the technological and electronic ways to move money these days; that only opens to door to more opportunities for fraud.  Senator Faraci says the criminal are getting more creative all the time, so these regular meetings are needed.

One person in attendance was retired District 118 teacher Jim Gholson.  He says it needs to be understood how hard these criminals work at this.  Simply put, this is what they do.

AUDIO: There are so many avenues they can use.  They can use phones, computers, phone calls imitating relatives; we just need to be really aware and very careful.  I know it sounds trite, but use common sense.

Heather Calcara from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office joined State Senator Paul Faraci Monday morning at the CRIS Healthy Aging of Vermilion County building in Danville.

One way to “use common sense” brought up during the forum was that if ever you are contacted by someone claiming to be from your bank and talking about a potential problem; hang up, and call your bank yourself.  In other words, to be safe YOU need to initiate the phone call, not another party.

Senator Faraci says; you can always contact the CRIS office, the police, or the county state’s attorney’s office.  But if you are not getting the results you need, his office is there to help.

AUDIO: The problem is you almost have to have the mind of a criminal to be able to project yourself.  Education is power, and so that’s why we do these.  Things change, right?  These criminals get worse.  Their technology and their knowledge increases.  We need to keep our seniors safe; and this is a really good way, we give them that knowledge to protect themselves.  They can do the upfront work, and let us know that they made that effort.  That’s helpful, but we’re here to help them as well.

One place to start if you might be a victim is to fill out the Illinois Attorney General’s Office “Consumer Fraud Bureau” form.  You can find it on the Attorney General’s website, and hard copies are available at both the CRIS building, and at Senator Faraci’s office.

News story here.