Seniors learn about potential scams as Rep. Gottheimer introduces legislation to protect them
Rep. Josh Gottheimer is looking to protect seniors from getting swindled, especially on social media. It's all a part of his Senior Security Strategy.
Senior citizens gathered at the Fair Lawn Senior Center on Monday to learn about potential scams that target older people.
Cony Damato says he almost fell for one two years ago.
"I went to CVS - they told me to get two $500 gift certificates and don't tell them why you're getting it. So, I really felt stupid. They told me right in CVS, ‘You're being scammed,’ so I had to go to my bank and cancel my credit cards," said Damato.
New action from Rep. Josh Gottheimer is looking to protect seniors from getting swindled, especially on social media. It's all a part of his Senior Security Strategy.
Measures include asking social media networks to add warning labels on fraudulent content and accounts that have been flagged as potential scams and explaining how a person can report a scammer.
He also introduced new legislation that would establish a grant program within the United States Securities and Exchange Commission to invest in states' scam responses.
"The bottom line is people should not ask for your personal information when they call or when they email you or on social media. The big scam on social media - they will try to lure you in, get you to click on something, then get you to give your information," Gottheimer said.
The congressman says last year, more than 2,000 seniors across New Jersey reported scams to the FBI - and that doesn't include reporting them to local law enforcement or even the sheriff's office.
Those at the Fair Lawn Senior Center say they hope this new legislation will help put an end to these scams.
Anyone who believes they are being targeted by a scam is encouraged not to respond and to report it to the law police or the FBI’s fraud hotline.
