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Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005
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DHR issues tsunami fraud alertThe Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Aging Services is making free presentations and giving out information warning elder Georgians to be careful of fraudulent e-mail scams using the Tsunami disaster in southern Asia to defraud them of their life savings, according to Jennifer Hogan, Elder Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection coordinator. Research shows that older adults are often more susceptible to telemarketing fraud than the average person and may be especially vulnerable to e-mail scams if they are new to e-mail and don't know how to recognize fraudulent e-mail solicitations. The FBI, the Federal Trade Commission and other agencies issued fraud alerts following the Tsunami disaster, warning people to expect scam letters to soon flood e-mail and snail mailboxes, as well as an increase of scam telemarketing calls. "We are telling older adults to beware of scam letters, phone calls, and e-mails which have been around for years but now have a new twist: they are using the Tsunami disaster to defraud people." said Hogan. The scam goes something like this. A person writes to you claiming he: Is an heir to a tsunami victim needing help to transfer funds or claim an inheritance. Needs you to pose as a surviving relative. Is a homeless survivor or orphan (complete with phony photo attached) asking for your help in cashing checks. Is in possession of unclaimed funds left by deceased victims. Has an opportunity for you to join a business partnership involving building projects in an affected country. Has established a lottery to provide relief for tsunami victims. To report suspicious actions by a solicitor, contact one of the following: Cathy Cox, Secretary of State, (404) 656-4910, www.sos.state..ga.us or the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs complaint intake center at (404) 651-8600 or outside Metro Atlanta 1-800-869-1123. If you would like more information or a free presentation on fraud, contact Jennifer Hogan, Division of Aging Services, Elder Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection, 404-657-9589 or jehogan@dhr.state.ga.us. |
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Copyright 2004-Fayette Publishing, Inc. |