Local Seniors Learn How To Avoid Being Victims Of Fraud

DAVIE (CBS4) -- A group of South Florida elderly residents has armed themselves with important information to avoid becoming victims of scam artists.

A seminar hosted Wednesday by Congressman Debbie Wasserman Schultz was designed to teach those over the age of 50 how to protect themselves from fraud. According to a study conducted by the AARP, people over the age of 50 are especially vulnerable and account for over half of all victims.

The fraud prevention seminar was held at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center in Davie. It brought together federal, state, and local resources to educate seniors on fraud prevention methods and inform them of proactive measures they can take to protect themselves.

Wasserman-Schultz says seniors tell her all the time they've been the victim of fraud or they're worried they will be targeted in a scheme.

"Whether its scams on the internet or scams through the regular mail or scams through sweepstakes or Medicare fraud. Just look at the Medicare fraud here in South Florida. Two and a half billion dollars of Medicare and Medicaid fraud. We are the capital of Medicare and Medicaid fraud in the country," Wasserman-Schultz told CBS4's Joan Murray.

That's why she brought in experts from the Broward Sheriff's Office, Broward County Consumer Protection Division, AARP, U.S. Postal Inspectors and Senior Medicare Patrol to educate seniors on fraud prevention and what they need to do to protect themselves.

"It reminds you of certain things that you have forgotten over the years," said Jane Hayward, who attended the seminar. "You really have to be aware of what people are doing nowadays especially when we're online and the stuff that comes through. You just can't believe anything anymore."

The seminar told seniors not to carry a social security card or medicare card in your wallet in case it's stolen.

But the main message stressed to the audience: Be a skeptic and question everything.