A senior scam prevention seminar was held in Palm Desert today to help residents recognize and avoid increasingly common fraud schemes targeting older adults.
The event was organized by Assemblymembers Greg Wallis and Jeff Gonzalez and took place at the Palm Desert Community Center from 9 to 11 a.m.
Attendees learned how to identify common scams, including government impersonation calls, romance scams, fraudulent text messages and other schemes designed to steal money or personal information.
Representatives from state consumer protection agencies, local law enforcement and community organizations also shared information about reporting fraud and protecting sensitive information.
Wallis said his office has seen a significant increase in scam reports from constituents across California, particularly those targeting seniors.
He said one of the main reasons for organizing the seminar was the widely publicized Bermuda Dunes financial scam case from May, in which an elderly woman who has since died sent thousands of dollars to a scammer after becoming involved in an online romance with someone falsely claiming to be actor Tom Selleck.
Organizers say education and awareness remain some of the strongest tools available to prevent seniors from becoming victims of fraud.
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