By Christina Hernandez, WINK News
February 11, 2010
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. - Scammers are working hard trying to steal your hard earned money, but now the state is stepping in pushing for stronger punishment against these thieves.
Joan Reinhard took notes as she learned more about not falling victim to a scam. She said she's been approached before, but knew what as going on - and played along.
"I love it. I try to pull them as far as I can to find out information and they're very clever - very, very cleaver. As soon as you start to get on their turf they don't want to talk to you anymore and the phone goes dead."
"This is really dangerous stuff that's going on and we have to make sure people don't become victims."
Sean Shaw is an insurance consumer advocate and said senior citizens are targeted because most are vulnerable and have money.
Joanne Singerman said, "They really want to crack down on these people who are trying to dupe seniors out of their life savings."
Singerman said after her husband filled out an application for a work at home job, questionable phone calls followed.
"I learned an interesting word today, the sucker list, so I'm wondering if he's not on a sucker list because we're getting all these calls."
The "sucker list" is full of people known to fall for scams - targets for thieves.
Reinhard said, "You just simply cannot do this to people, good God-willed people. You just don't do it... and you certainly don't do it to seniors."
If you think you've been scammed or just want to learn more, call the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP, call 211, or log onto www.flseniors.net.