Submitted by Kathleen Amoia
(May 9, 2025) — Killingworth’s Committee on Aging, under the Chairmanship of Joan Gay, organized a two-hour Scam and Fraud Prevention Program for Seniors at the Killingworth Library on May 3, 2025. Recently retired Attorney Don Phillips, and Erica Basoli from the Connecticut Statewide Legal Services Pro Bono Clinic outlined the common types of fraud seniors are likely to face and how to handle them. State Trooper Rick Mulhall (photo below) and police dog Elle joined the conversation during the second half of the program.
It was clear from the stories told by the audience that most seniors have experience with persistent scammers. Phillips explained why seniors are often targeted. They generally have savings, pensions, and bank accounts. They are home more during the day for easier contact and tend to trust people. They may respond more readily to attempts at intimidation.
Phillips outlined the major types of scams and how to shut them down before you give information or money. The most common scams involve bank or credit cards, PayPal and USPS or Amazon fakes, all seeking information they can then exploit. There is also the gift card scam, usually to pay for something involved with someone you know.
Home repair scams are often local, requesting money up front for supplies. This can also include two people supposedly coming into your house to assess the job. While one keeps the homeowner occupied the other goes around looking for valuables. Legitimate home improvement contractors are registered with the state, are insured, and will give you a contract in writing. If a business is going through a neighborhood soliciting jobs, they should have notified the local Town Hall beforehand.
Another scam, made easier by social media and dating apps, is the romance scam. This can start with online conversations and continue for a long period of time before the request for money. Trust and a sense of companionship are built up and then money for something seemingly legitimate is requested. It may be money for air fare to meet the victim. This scam exploits the loneliness some experience living by themselves perhaps after losing a spouse. Another scam related to technology is the Tech Support Scam claiming to fix nonexistent problems that need immediate attention.
Prize offers and sweepstakes wins where you have to send money to get your winnings should be a red flag. If you win money, you don’t have to pay to collect it. Fake charities and debt relief solicitations are also familiar scams seeking cash and or personal information.
The advice Basoli and Phillips give (Photo above, left, middle, with Joan Gay, right) is very specific: Don’t give personal information on Social Media. Don’t act fast even though you’re told action is urgent or bad things will happen. Urgency is on their side, not yours. Slow down, think before you act. Don’t fall for “Don’t tell anyone.” Your banks, credit card companies, and Social Security have your information. They don’t need it when contacting you. Social Security will not call you unless they are returning your call. Report the scam. It is a crime. To protect your information, use a shredder to get rid of bills and other papers you no longer need.
Questions were asked of all three presenters. Trooper Mulhall reinforced the message of the others. He added that there are one to two reported scams a month in Killingworth along with several attempted scams. He stressed the need to report them. Scams are crimes and they evolve over time. The scammers are clever and practiced. Their latest tricks need constant exposure.
Phillips and Basoli highlighted the emotional damage done to scam victims. Being deceived and losing money can cause a senior to feel less safe, less sure of their capabilities, and embarrassed by their actions. It can cause worry for all members of the family. Sometimes it can result in their handing over their finances to a family member so that they are not scammed again.
Informative handouts were available to attendees. They listed sources of help for scam victims. Here are just a few of the places you can turn to for help:
The Elder Justice Hotline can be reached at 1-860-808-5555. More information can be found at portal.ct.gov/ag/elderhotline.
The Consumer Protection Bureau can be reached at 1-855-411-2372 or online at www.consumerfinance.gov. Report fraud to the FTC at https//reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you are reporting identity theft, file a report with your local police department and report to the FTC website www.identitytheft.gov. Call the company where you know the fraud occurred and report the theft/issue.
For Social Security fraud contact your local office or call 1-800-772-1213. Free legal advice for people with low incomes can be found at CTLawHelp.org.
There is help out there. But the first line of defense is avoiding the scam before it pays off for the criminal. Hang up when it sounds fishy or too good to be true. Don’t ever be rushed into anything that involves money. If you are told by a stranger to keep a money transaction a secret, you should probably shout it from the roof top.
Kudos to retiring Chairwoman Joan Gay and the Killingworth Committee on Aging for bringing another relevant and informative program for seniors to our town.
Photos by Joyce Mason
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