Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel fields a question from an audience member at the presentation. Photo by Ben Gagnon
FLUSHING — As internet and phone scams become increasingly sophisticated, the Flushing Area Senior Center (FASC) is hoping to keep its members educated on ways to protect themselves and their personal information.
Last Friday, the senior center hosted a fraud prevention presentation given by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who shared information about prevalent scams and how the state is working to protect seniors from falling prey to fraud and abuse.
Nessel told audience members to watch out for common cons like the “Consumers Energy” scam, in which scammers will pose as representatives from Consumers Energy and tell a homeowner that their power is about to be shut off unless they pay over the phone right away and give out their credit card and/or bank account information.
“Scammers often want information so they can steal your identity to take out a loan or to buy a car or house in your name,” she said. “If there’s a sense of urgency to it, it’s likely a scam.”
Sgt. Jill Macey Photo by Ben Gagnon
In addition to fraud cases, Nessel said that her department is handling an increasing number of elder abuse cases where court assigned guardians are taking advantage of senior citizen wards. She said that the state’s Elder Abuse Task Force, which was formed in tandem with the Michigan Supreme Court, is evaluating laws pertaining…
