MEDINA, Ohio (WJW) — The Scam Squad, a new partnership with federal state and local authorities, aims to protect victims from scams and help recoup financial loss.
“People are getting scammed by relatives, their court appointed guardians, they’re taking advantage of grandpa,” said Medina County Prosecutor’s Office Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Thomas Condosta. “There are so many levels of scam, financial fraud, people calling saying they’re a bank the IRS, emails, letters.”
Launching next week, scam victims can call the Scam Squad at 1-877-SCAM-550. Callers will be connected to investigating agencies.
Condosta said there are so many different kinds of scams the squad’s goal is to not only report the crimes, but educate the public about how to avoid becoming a victim. He recalled a local case with a $180,000 dollars loss, far from the average.
“On average for Ohio … people over the age of 60, the average loss is $18,000 dollars and that’s money they’re never going to get back,” he said.
Scammers target people of all ages and education levels. Condosta said recouping financial loss is difficult but not impossible depending on a variety of factors including how quickly the crime is reported to investigators.
“FBI agents have impressed upon us expediency is so important,” Condosta said. “Within three days, they can probably get it, but after three days it makes…
