New Jersey officials fighting back against senior citizen fraud

BORDENTOWN, N.J. (WPVI) -- New Jersey officials are fighting back against fraud. A public education program is trying to keep senior citizens from falling victim to telemarketing scams.

One New Jersey woman says her mother lost tens of thousands of dollars.

Some of these stories will break your heart as scammers will target seniors who are often lured or bullied into cooperating with these fast-talking fraudsters.

"I've been scammed unfortunately. I did lose a lot of money - over $100,000," said Betty Lydon of Bordentown.

Heartbreaking stories of seniors losing their life savings to scammers is why New Jersey state officials visited the Carlslake community center in Bordentown to educate seniors on how to protect themselves through a program called "Fighting Fraud".

"These fraudulent scams - it's like an arms race. A scam comes out, it lasts about six months or a year, it's discovered, precautions are taken then a new scam comes out," said John Hoffman, NJ Acting Attorney General.

Whether it's a letter saying you've won a sweepstakes or a call that a grandchild is in trouble and needs money fast, officials say seniors need to verify the information lest they become victims like Reading resident Joan Vogel's mother.

Betty Norman was scammed out of $200,000 by a group of fraudsters seen on surveillance tape operating out of Israel. They told Norman she needed to pay taxes before she could claim a lottery prize.

"They were able to do it by developing a friendship, calling a lonely widow every morning who was living in a retirement community," said Vogel.

Experts say seniors are often pressured to send money or threatened by scammers.

"They can throw you in jail for breaking a confidential agreement, so I suggest you keep your mouth shut." said one scammer.

"If people are threatening them over the phone or they're creating a false sense of urgency, be very careful. Telling people you have to pay money right away or you're gonna get arrested - anytime someone hears something like that over the phone that's a red flag of fraud," said Steve Lee, acting NJ Consumer Affairs Director.

Joseph Berry from Mt. Holly has a notebook full of official looking notifications he believes are scams.

"By the middle of every month, I'm just about broke yet they want me to send money to them and all," he said. "Heartless people will do this to you."

"I won't answer or I won't give them any answers. I will hang up," said Leatha Wright from Lumberton.

The state has brought this program to all 21 counties and tell seniors and those who care for them to be on the lookout for scammers who will take advantage of this vulnerable population.