THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 14, 1996 TAG: 9606140585
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEPHANIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 37 lines
The 65-year-old Virginia Beach woman thought the contractor was a safe bet. After all, he was a congenial man, married with three kids, and had done good work on her neighbor's home.
A few days later, the excuses began. The contractor had a death in the family. He had to go out of town. He couldn't explain why the roof shingles he had ordered for the project were late.
In the end, the contractor skipped town with the woman's $600 check.
``Of course, I never did hear from him again,'' said the woman, who asked that her name not be used. ``He was long gone.''
Police and consumer affairs officials have heard similar stories many times. They have a common theme: The victims are often senior citizens, widowed and living alone.
On Monday, the state attorney general's office will hold a conference open to senior citizens on consumer fraud and violent crime in Hampton Roads. The conference, to be held at First Baptist Church in Norfolk, will offer tips to help protect senior citizens from con artists and other criminals.
``Senior citizens are easy prey, particularly widowed people,'' said Gordon Morton, district coordinator for the local American Association of Retired Persons. ``They've always had two people to discuss things. Now, they're alone.''
Many seniors who've been victimized by con artists don't report the crimes, he said.
The conference is sponsored by state Attorney General Jim Gilmore. AARP, the Department of Aging, local senior citizens' center and various law enforcement agencies also are involved.
Speakers will include NBC's Willard Scott of the Today Show, Gilmore, and Wayne Hugging, head of state police.
KEYWORDS: SENIOR CITIZEN SCAM FRAUD ELDERLY by CNB