Class teaches elderly how to avoid scams

The elderly population is one of the most targeted groups for scammers, and a crime prevention group is working with police to arm citizens with knowledge on how to prevent them from becoming a victim.

According to the FBI, there are hundreds of scams specifically designed to dupe older adults, who experts say are targeted because of their likeliness to have available funds in a “nest egg” and likelihood not to report the fraud. Dayton police receive dozens of scam complaints each week. The most prolific right now involves the IRS, with callers claiming victims owe money and should pay over the phone by credit cards. Many scammers also seek personal information or money in exchange for false “cash prizes,” said Officer Ron Strehle of the Dayton Police Department.

“If you didn’t enter the contest, you didn’t win,” Strehle said. “Our message is you’re responsible for your own safety. What you do makes a difference.”

Through the Miami Valley Crime Prevention Association (MVCPA), officers are teaching classes throughout the area on scam prevention. The class includes key identifiers that signify if something is a scam, and what to do if you’re contacted. In almost every case, Strehle advises hanging up the phone or telling the person offering you money or asking for information that you will independently make a call verifying their request. Most legitimate agencies will never “cold-call” you asking for money, or expect payment over the phone, he said.

Shirlee Gilbert of Clayton attended one of the crime prevention classes at Beth Jacob Synagogue in Harrison Twp. last week. She said she was interested in learning more about scams, and was amazed at the number of ways con-artists can collect information and use it to get money. She said the best thing to do is to take preventive measures to avoid being scammed, such as not answering the phone from unknown callers and never mailing money to anyone.

“You’re learning how to protect yourself and he was telling us all how to protect ourselves in all ways, which was very good,” she said.

For more crime prevention tips or to schedule a class for your group, contact MVCPA online on their Facebook page at

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