Interactive Zoom events on how to avoid scams open to public

Scam posterThe Northwestern District Attorney’s Office Consumer Protection Unit is sponsoring two Zoom events next Monday and Wednesday to educate consumers about scams, including the Number 1 scam reported to the Federal Trade Commission in 2020, the Imposter Scam.

Posing as anyone from a Social Security Administration official to a local sheriff’s representative or your grandchild, scammers stole $1.2 billion from a half million consumers with a median loss of $850 in 2020. 

Scammers reached their victims most often by telephone or text message.

"Scammers prey on the young and old. Scammers are professional and smooth. Don’t give any personal information over the phone.  It’s usually a scam to help you part with your hard-earned savings,”​ Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan said.

The interactive events, hosted by consumer specialists from the NWDA and the Massachusetts Attorney’s General Office, are timed to coincide with National Consumer Protection Week, March 1-7.

Monday, March 1 at 10 am, is the Senior Savvy Showdown, a Jeopardy-style question & answer game. Players test their knowledge of scams, money matters, elder law & senior safety. 

Wednesday, March 3 at 10 am, is the Scam Alert & Avoiding Financial Exploitation event. Learn the tricks criminals use to steal your money and your personal information. 

Consumers should RSVP to Anita Wilson at NWDA.CPU@state.ma.us or call 413-437-5817.

Senior Savvy posterOnline shopping and negative reviews was the second most reported fraud category of 2020, according to the FTC with more than 350,000 consumers reporting median losses of about $100, totaling $245 million.

“With the pandemic came an increase in online shopping, and then a wave of reports about sellers failing to deliver on promises — or just failing to deliver, period,” the FTC says.

The NWDA’s Consumer Protection Unit is one of 18 local consumer programs throughout the Commonwealth working in cooperation with the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office since 1973.