Mentor Senior Center Recreation Manager Renee Ochaya said recently they have received several questions about the turnpike toll collection scam. For Ochaya, it made her recall an important phone call she was part of and how critical it is for seniors to be educated on scams of all kinds, whether by cellphone, laptop or otherwise. “A couple years ago I spent about 30 minutes on the phone trying to convince a senior not to send money to someone via the Internet,” Ochaya said.. “The scammer convinced her she was going to get $50,000 if she just sent a $1,000 money order for some sort of processing fee. She was wary enough to be uncertain if it was legitimate, but she was so trusting and believed all the crazy answers the spammers provided to her. In the end she still thought it was legitimate, but I convinced her to call her daughter before sending money. “We receive numerous inquiries from our seniors about scams each week,” she added. “Unfortunately, there are a constantly changing scams out there and it can be difficult for seniors to keep up.” According to a news release by the city, Mentor detectives report that scams targeting seniors are at an all-time high, despite repeated warnings. The police department receives two to three reports weekly, however about 87 percent of these scams go unreported, often due to embarrassment. Just recently, a Mentor woman lost her life savings of over $660,000 to a cryptocurrency scam after a “wrong-number” text turned into a friendship. In another case, a Mentor couple lost over $45,000 after clicking a pop-up warning on their iPad claiming their bank account was compromised. The husband called the provided number, and a scammer posing as a bank officer convinced him to withdraw funds. According to the release, scammers are bolder and more sophisticated than ever, impersonating authority figures like government agents, bank officers or even law enforcement. They prey on seniors, exploiting their trust and vulnerability. Starting small, they quickly escalate demands, using coercion to pressure victims, knowing time is critical with each target. “We had a very well attended senior scam presentation presented by the Mentor Police Department in the fall,” Ochaya said. “We encourage our seniors to attend presentations to raise awareness on what to look for.” The police have offered several ways for seniors to protect themselves against scams. Seniors are encouraged if they receive a phone call or text from someone they don’t know, don’t answer it. However, in the case they do answer and someone on the line tells explains an account has been compromised or some other story which requires immediate action and/or secrecy, they should simply hang up as legitimate businesses or government agencies won’t call with urgent demands or ask to keep it secret from family or real employees. Police warn seniors that get a pop-up on their computer that says their computer, phone or tablet has been compromised, don’t click the link or call the number that is presented. Instead, they are instructed to run an antivirus program and if that doesn’t work, turn it off and take it to a trusted family member or friend, or a reputable bricks-and-mortar computer specialist. If they get a suspicious call, text or email, seniors should verify it by contacting the official/published number or visiting the real website. Never use the number or link they provide. A legitimate business or government agency will never ask for payment via gift card or cryptocurrency under any circumstance. Scammers prefer gift cards because they are practically untraceable. Seniors are reminded personal information is just as valuable as money. By submitting name, address, social security number and other data, scammers have everything they need to open an account using their identity. Lake County Council on Aging Community Outreach Social Worker Connie Brocone will be providing education on scams and frauds throughout the year at various locations. One upcoming event in the Mentor area is April 3 at 2 p.m. at the Mentor Public Library’s Main Branch, 8215 Mentor Ave. Along with community partners, the Lake County Council on Aging strives to inform and educate the public on ways to prevent seniors from becoming victims of fraud and scams. Presentations include information on the most common scams, fraud prevention, contact information for reporting agencies and other means to protect yourself and property. “If it is too good to be true, it probably is,” Brocone said. “Knowledge is power. If you are well informed, you are less likely to be scammed.” Police encourage seniors to trust their instincts. If something feels off, stop the conversation and involve police or family, according to the release. In any scenario where a person is uncomfortable with a phone call or email or text or any kind of solicited transaction, they are encouraged to report the incident immediately. Mentor detectives say these scams often originate out of state, with funds funneled to offshore accounts. Recovery is rare, but reporting early improves the odds. Any senior that is unsure of a possible scam is encouraged to call the Mentor Police Department at 440-255-1234. ...read more read less