Scams Against Senior Citizens Continue in Breckenridge
By: Rob Durham, BreckenridgeAmerican.com
Updated: April 18, 2012
Freddie King of Breckenridge was inches away from sending $2,000 to, what she thought, was her grandson in need.
However, a clerk with Western Union gave her one last chance to make sure it wasn't a scam.
In the end, it was.
Not only did the Wester Union good Samaritan alert King to the scam, but she also saved her from possible identity theft as well.
Breckenridge Police Chief Larry Mahan said his department has been dealing with about three or four scams in the area that are targeting senior citizens.
"We've had the scam where someone calls and there's a family member in trouble and we've had the ever-popular lottery or sweepstakes winner," he said. "We just encourage our senior citizens to be careful when a case like this comes along."
Mahan said citizens need to remember that if they don't enter a sweepstakes or lottery, then they won't win, which means when scammers call they should be able to recognize it's fake.
Mahan encouraged not only senior citizens, but all local citizens to use extreme caution in order to not be targeted for scams.
In the end, it was.
Not only did the Wester Union good Samaritan alert King to the scam, but she also saved her from possible identity theft as well.
Breckenridge Police Chief Larry Mahan said his department has been dealing with about three or four scams in the area that are targeting senior citizens.
"We've had the scam where someone calls and there's a family member in trouble and we've had the ever-popular lottery or sweepstakes winner," he said. "We just encourage our senior citizens to be careful when a case like this comes along."
Mahan said citizens need to remember that if they don't enter a sweepstakes or lottery, then they won't win, which means when scammers call they should be able to recognize it's fake.
Mahan encouraged not only senior citizens, but all local citizens to use extreme caution in order to not be targeted for scams.
