The Milwaukee Post

14 • Milwaukee Post • July 5, 2013 Awareness key to stopping scams against seniors Church Directory By KIRSTEN KLAHN Conley News Service Bay View St. Lukes Episcopal Church 3200 S. Herman St. 414-744-3736 Sunday Worship: 9 am New Berlin First Church of the Nazarene 13535 W. Beloit Road Sunday Worship: 10 am www.Firstnazinfo.org 414-425-6430 To advertise in this section, contact Joan at 800-762-6219 ext. 5022 PROBATE and all related legal services when you have lost a loved one. Our office policy is to use the least expensive procedures possible to handle a decedent's affairs in the quickest manner. We will provide a quote after a free office conference. MILWAUKEE – There is a growing problem among the senior citizen population involving scams targeted toward elderly citizens. In 2011, the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Group estimated that more than 38,000 seniors in Wisconsin were victims of financial exploitation. And those numbers are growing, according to Lisa Schiller, spokesperson for the Better Business Bureau. "Fraud targeting senior citizens continues to be a growing concern, and the BBB recommends that consumers keep the lines of communication open with their elders regarding finances and learn to recognize common scams that target them as a group," she said. Some of the latest statistics available, Schiller said, show that in 2010 more than 2,700 seniors filed complaints with the BBB. Additionally she said, a survey conducted , by Investor Protection Trust in June 2010 estimated that 7.3 million older Americans – one out of every five people 65 and older — have been victims of financial scams. The Federal Trade Commission reported that in 2012 more than 25 percent of fraud complaints were reported by consumers over the age of 60. One of the ways to combat scams is through awareness, said Shelley Bernhardt, director of consumer protection for Western Union, a nationwide company that specializes in global money transfer. Law Offices of Attorney James J. Winiarski We Make Healthy Smiles Affordable (414)383-3902 We have provided probate services to the Milwaukee area for over 30 years. 232520159 3625 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milw NEW PATIENT SPECIAL FREE Glass Pro Inc. 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We have videos, quizzes and resources on our website. We also include information on what to do if you fall victim." Western Union also finds meetings targeted toward the older population, such as AARP get-togethers, that they attend. There they pass out brochures and other educational material to inform them of current scams. And, Bernhardt said, they do extensive training with Western Union tellers on how to catch and stop fraud before it happens. Some of the scams that are most popular among the elderly population, Bernhardt said, include the grandparent scam, lottery scam and online relationship scam. The grandparent scam occurs when someone involved with the fraud calls the victims and pretends to be their grandchild. Sometimes, they'll use social media to learn the names of the grandchild, Bernhardt said, and other times they'll be vague about which grandchild is calling. "Then, they'll say something like they've been in an accident or are in jail," she said. "They'll have a great elaborate story and , sometimes will have an accomplice helping. If they're using the jail story they'll put the , accomplice on to act like a police officer or bail bondsman. They pray on their emotions in order to get them to send money to help them out." The most important thing to remember with the grandparent scam, Bernhardt said, is to call and verify Either call the . number back, she said, or call another family member to find out if it's true. The lottery scam is often in letter form. The letter will include a check, and can sometimes promise winnings such as cars or other large prizes. The letter will instruct the victims to deposit the check and then wire money to a bank account that will cover taxes and other costs associated with winning a prize with the promise that they'll then receive the full prize shortly after. The victims will wire the money and then days or weeks later, find out that the check they deposited bounced. "This one's really sad," Bernhardt said. "This one people get caught up in their emotions that they won something. Once they realize it's a scam, they don't want to talk about it either." Finally the online relationship scam tar, gets the older population who are lonely . They'll form an online relationship and then ask for money Some of the reasons for . needing money include wanting to come visit or being in a financially desperate situation. The victim will wire the money and never hear from the other person again. There are ways to prevent this from happening, Schiller said. "Unfortunately fraud and scams cannot , be stopped," she said. "But, through information, awareness and education, we can curb fraud." Sign up to receive alerts regarding scams, Schiller said. Seniors can also visit www.bbb.org/scam-stopper to learn more about scams targeting the area or to report fraud. And, Bernhardt said, Western Union has three important tips that can prevent fraud. Older citizens should never use a money transfer service to send money to someone they've never met, they should never send money for an emergency situation without verifying it's a real emergency and never , send money received by check until it officially clears in the account. The potential victims play just as much of a role in preventing fraud, Bernhardt said. If they don't take an active role in prevention, it will continue to happen, she said. "We work hard to educate our agents about scams. But we believe that fraud prevention is everyone's responsibility ," Bernhardt added. "Consumers play a key role in preventing fraud by educating themselves, by being aware of fraud issues and using their best judgment when doing business with strangers. Consumers really are the first, last, and best line of defense against scammers." Melinda Myers sets garden walks this month Post Staff HALES CORNERS – Gardening expert Melinda Myers will lead Sizzling Summer Beauties garden walks at the Boerner Botanical Gardens, 9400 Boerner Drive, at 6:30 p.m. July 17 and July 23. The educational walks are hosted by the Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens. New this year, attendees who bring a new walk participant will receive a free annual membership to the Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens. Proceeds from the series will support the Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens' children's plant science and environmental education at Boerner Botanical Gardens. The cost is $25 for friends of Boerner Botanical Garden members and $30 for nonmembers. For more information or to register, call 414-525-5659. Class size is limited and early registration is encouraged. For details, visit www.MelindaMyers.com or www.Boerner BotanicalGardens.org.

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