
DATE: Sunday, April 20, 1997                TAG: 9704180245

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 26   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY MARGO M. MATEAS, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:  113 lines

ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL WARNS ELDERLY ABOUT SCAMS THAT FRIENDLY VOICE ON THE TELEPHONE ISN'T A FRIEND; DEAL WITH LOCAL MERCHANTS, HE ADVISES.

``Hi Betty, how you doin'? It's me, Jack. How's that hip feeling? Oh, that's too bad. You know, that grandson of yours needs to get out and fix that leaky faucet. . . . You want me to come do it? I'd be glad to help out.''

The nice young man is so thoughtful, Betty smiles to herself. He calls every day, just to check on her. It helps to pass the time. It's been five years since her husband passed away. So good to talk to someone.

Jack and she chat about the weather and her far-off and too-busy grandson forever promising to fix that leaky faucet. They share a moment; a void fills in the emptiness of Betty's life.

For Betty, it's almost like having her grandson nearby.

Weeks pass.

``Hi Betty. How's my girl? You know how you were telling me you need a new roof? Well, you won't believe it! I just found out about a new investment opportunity that'll pay you three times what your roof costs, with hardly anything up front! I know! Can you believe it? There's only one catch though, Betty. We've got to act soon, and we can't tell anybody. There's only a few people who are in on this. . . .''

There's a phrase about friends that says if you can count the number of really good friends on one hand, you're doing well.

``Jack'' isn't on Betty's hand. In fact, he's not in her address book, her neighborhood or her family.

``Jack'' is a con artist.

By far the largest and most lucrative scam against the elderly is perpetrated by people like Jack, who target those they know spend most of their time alone.

For Jack, they are a dream come true. Thirty percent of all consumer fraud is perpetrated against the elderly. By preying on lonely, homebound seniors anxious to hear the phone ring, Jack and thousands of others like him abscond with millions in swindled money.

An elderly woman like Betty was taken for $100,000 by someone she had never met but who called her every day for several months until he had built up her trust in him, then he left with her life savings.

Other seniors are taken by con artists posing as handymen. They will do odd jobs, then ask you to ``upfront'' the money for them to purchase tools or materials for your job. Unless they are from a reputable company who offers a written contract and a guarantee, pass on the repairs.

``If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is,'' according to Virginia Assistant Attorney General Sal Iaquinto, who met with the Suffolk chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons to discuss consumer fraud and the elderly.

Over the past two years, the Federal Trade Commission closed down more than 150 fraudulent telemarketing scams representing more than $780 million swindled from unsuspecting consumers. Iaquinto said that $1 billion annually is reported stolen by fraudulent telephone scam operators.

The key to avoiding being a victim of consumer fraud is prevention, Iaquinto stresses.

A good rule is not to buy anything over the phone. Reputable companies have offices and literature you can peruse at your own pace.

Never give your credit card number out to anyone over the phone unless you initiated the call.

Never divulge personal information to someone over the phone, even if they already seem to have it from a legitimate source. Mailing lists are big business.

Never buy anything you can't think about for a few days.

If you're asked to pay taxes, shipping fees, or any other fee on a sweepstakes, you're being taken. True sweepstakes and awards are completely free to the winner. On large legitimate prizes, taxes may be assessed by the proper authority after you receive the prize, not before.

Beware 900 numbers. Many are routed overseas and charge you international rates.

If you feel harassed, order the caller to ``immediately cease and desist'' calling you. This is a legal term that warns the caller that you are acting on your rights within federal protection guidelines. If the calls continue and report the company to the Federal Trade Commission, which prosecutes consumer fraud cases.

Iaquinto cautions against groups purporting to be arms of the Department of Aging or other senior advocacy organizations.

Iaquinto urges consumers to stick with their common sense and not to fall into magical thinking, the idea that they can make a quick buck or get something for nothing.

``Scammers are smart,'' Iaquinto warns. ``The best way to beat them is to do business the same way you've always done - with people you know and trust.''

He advises people new to the area or who may be without friends or family close by to call the Better Business Bureau for referrals to reputable businesses.

He also encouraged consumers with questions or problems with consumer fraud to contact him directly at 757-631-4020. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

GETTING INFORMATION

The following consumer agencies offer free information on

consumer fraud:

Attorney General 757-631-4020

Better Business Bureau 757-531-1300

BBB, Directory of Operations 757-531-9400 Ext. 210

De[sic]epartment of Aging 804-225-2271

Department of Medical Assistance Services 804- 786-7933

Medicare Fraud Control Unit 804-786-1226

Consumer Affairs Division 804-786-2042

Federal Bureau of Investigation 757-455-0100