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A sad reality of any period of economic downturn is an inevitable increase of scam artists who offer gullible people too-good-to-be-true offers for next to nothing in return.
A 2012 Javelin Report found that 11.6 million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2011, a 13 percent increase over 2010. The report estimated the annual cost of identity theft to be about $54 billion.
The report also found that online scams have risen more than 1,000 percent in the past few years and phone scams are increasing. The rise of smartphone use means more sensitive information is also being swiped through camera phones that capture credit card numbers.
While the statistics can be frightening, there are ample measures people can take to protect themselves. In an effort to protect residents and businesses, the Better Business Bureau, in conjunction with other North Alabama agencies, will present the annual Scam Jam fraud summit on Friday, May 4.
The free event will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Limestone County Senior Center, located at 912 W. Pryor St. in Athens. Door prizes will be awarded and refreshments will be served. Preregistration is not required to attend.
Topics to be covered include identity theft, telephone, mail and Internet fraud, door-to-door solicitations, elder justice, business scams, work-at-home schemes and Medicare fraud and abuse.
Tricia Pruitt, regional vice president for the BBB, said residents need to be armed with the tools they need to recognize identity theft and fraud.
“Recognizing it quickly is one of the things that is most important to make sure you’re not out of money,” she said. “You have a lot more protection with a credit card than you do with a debit card.”
She said people make many common mistakes that allow them to be fraud victims, including giving out credit, debit and Social Security card numbers to strangers. She said giving out personal information willingly makes a fraud or identity theft case much harder to prosecute.
“Seniors are also not as quick to recognize they’ve been a victim,” Pruitt said. “I’m flabbergasted when people never open statements and just pay the bill. It’s those types of things we try to emphasize.”
Joining the BBB at the Scam Jam will be a panel of experts from the Federal Trade Commission, State Attorney General’s Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Alabama Department of Senior Services, Financial Institution Security Department and local law enforcement. Former local television newscaster Tom Kennemer will moderate the event.
For more information, contact Pruitt at 256- 355-5170 or tricia@decaturareabbb.org.
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