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Anti-Scam Seminars: Don't Be a Victim
In early August I hosted a series of "Senior Anti-Scam Seminars - Don't Be a Victim" across our Northern California congressional district.  The goal of these events was to warn senior citizens and others about the dangers of financial scams.  I invited local law enforcement and other counter-fraud experts to join me in outlining steps individuals can take to help protect themselves from becoming the next victim of fraud.  The common message was, "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is."

The impetus for these forums, the second series in as many years, was a tragedy that happened in our very own congressional district.  Last year, Sutter County law enforcement teams searched the Feather River for a 75-year-old Yuba City resident named Norma Anderson.  Her clothes were neatly piled along the banks of the river, and witnesses reported that they had spotted a woman swimming.  Norma doesn't swim.  Her husband believes Norma took her own life after being defrauded of over $500,000 through international lottery scams.

For too long, con artists have exploited unsuspecting individuals like Mrs. Anderson who tragically misplace their trust in these cunning criminals.  We cannot stop each and every scam artist.  The resources of law enforcement are stretched to the limit chasing a growing number of scammers with ever more damaging schemes.  What we can do is work together to raise awareness about the dangers of fraud and educate ourselves about the steps we and our families can take to prevent future tragedies. 

Visit the websites below and find out how you can protect yourself from becoming the next victim of fraud.

State of California:
http://ag.ca.gov/bmfea/pdfs/citizens_guide.pdf

U.S. Postal Service:
http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/lottery.htm

http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/OlderSweepstakesVictim.htm

Federal Trade Commission:     
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/articles/naps12.pdf