Scammers targeting South Jersey seniors, police warn

An alarming number of Gloucester Township, seniors have become victims of email, phone, and internet scams, police warned recently.

During the Hider Lane Seniors’ monthly meeting and bingo game at the Gloucester Township Senior Center on Thursday, November 17th, GTPD Detective Nick Aumundo and Cpl. Jen McLaughlin provided them with information on how to avoid being scammed by clever con artists.

In order to prevent your elderly parents, grandparents, or other loved ones from falling victim to a scam, Gloucester Township Police would like to assist you. Millions of dollars are lost to scammers each year, and you may be unsure of how to protect the elderly. Among the children of the oldest Americans, boomer-aged children have this concern.

It is important to recognize that older individuals may be targeted by scammers more often than other age groups, and may also be more likely to fall victim to these scams. Once burned, they can be easily targeted again..

All this is made easier for the scammers if you live elsewhere, unable to intervene on incoming phone calls, emails and mailed letters from con artists. You may feel that it is necessary to give your parents stern warnings or to demand that they grant you power of attorney over their finances, but often these tactics result in nasty emotional repercussions.