JACKSONVILLE, Fla — Detective Harold Chapman with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office gave a presentation on the fraud and identity theft that happens to the retirement community.
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This presentation was vital and proven by the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov) who provided the National Stats for 2022:
- In 2022, there were over 88,000 victims over the age over 60 in the United States.
- $3.1 Billion in total losses
- In comparison to 2021, there was an increase of 84% in losses
- Victims averaged $35k+ in individual loss
- 5k+ victims loss over $100,000
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These scams can come in many elaborate forms such as tech support phone calls, government impersonation, sweepstakes, home repairs, even romance scams to name a few. To mitigate this here are a few tips:
- Recognize scam attempts and end all communication with the perpetrator.
- Search online for the contact information (name, email, phone number, addresses) and the proposed offer. Other people have likely posted information online about individuals and businesses trying to run scams.
- Resist the pressure to act quickly. Perpetrators create a sense of urgency to produce fear and lure victims into immediate action. Call the police immediately if you feel there is a danger to yourself or a loved one.
- Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, mailings, and door-to-door services offers
When in doubt, contact JSO for assistance.
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