The timing was perfect. North Aurora Police Department detective Chris Joswick received a scam phone call Friday, April 25. It came to his cell phone during his presentation on “What to do after being Scammed” at Senior Services Associates in Aurora.
Following his advice to the gathering of seniors, Joswick hung up on the caller and continued speaking. Other presenters were NAPD detective Ryan Peat, NAPD patrol officer David Parr and Amanda Creighton of Prairie State Legal Services, a nonprofit legal aid agency. The guest speakers were featured during an SSA Lunch and Learn presentation.
“Breathe! Don’t panic,” Creighton recommended as the first response to being scammed. “Disconnect and disengage,” she said. She advised making a list of funds or assets that are vulnerable or compromised. “Try to include everything the scammer might access.” Examples, she said, include bank accounts, credit cards, stock trading accounts and online shopping accounts with passwords.
Other responses, she said, include changing passwords and requesting a new credit card. If a family member, friend or acquaintance is the scammer, consider revoking a power or attorney or obtaining an order of protection.
To prevent future harm, file a police report and contact Illinois Attorney General, Federal Trade Commission or Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Earlier Parr discussed fraud detection and prevention. He said, “People try to scam in person, by phone or text and email. Common fraud types are home-repair frauds, ruse burglaries, grandchild in trouble, arrest warrant/IRS scams,internet/computer repair scams, sweepstakes/lottery scams, romance scams, car scams and charity scams.”
Personal safety strategies were listed by Parr. They included:
•Never give out personal information over the phone
•Ask friends and family for help
•Call police if something doesn’t seem right
•Secure Social Security card at home
•Be a wise consumer
•Do not let anyone into your home
•Escort anyone invited in, even if they are from a legitimate company or service
•If you become a victim, reach out for help
—Al Benson