State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) and State Senator Erica Harriss (R-Glen Carbon) hosted a Senior Fraud Seminar in Godfrey with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. The event gave seniors the opportunity to learn about how to protect themselves from fraud and safeguard their assets.
These five tips that are important to know:
- Recognizing Suspicious Activities: It’s important to recognize common warning signs of fraud, which often include unexpected contact via phone or email, promises of high returns on investments with no risk, and threats of legal action if immediate payment is not made. Understanding these signs is the first step in protecting oneself.
- Verifying Contacts: It’s crucial to verify the identity of anyone who contacts you requesting personal information. We must verify identities using official channels rather than the contact details provided by the caller or emailer.
- Using Secure Transaction Methods: It’s important to learn safe methods for conducting financial transactions, emphasizing the importance of avoiding untraceable payment methods favored by scammers, such as wire transfers and prepaid debit cards.
- Staying Informed About Scam Tactics: Scammers constantly refine their methods, so staying informed about new scam tactics is vital.
- Reporting Suspicious Activities: Knowing how to report suspected fraud is critical. Immediate reporting can mitigate damage and help prevent others from becoming victims.
Some important hotlines and helplines from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office can be found here.