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Scam alert Bad guys' dirty tricks to steal identities detailed Staff Writer Lois Flor of Milaca went to get cash out of an Automated Teller Machine a few months ago.
This common task accomplished by Americans every day all around the country caused her to lose $3,000.
Flor, 73, was a victim of an ATM scam.
"I've never heard that ATM machines could be part of a scam," Flor said in an interview Thursday at a consumer fraud forum at the Ramada Inn in Brainerd. "I always thought it was safe."
U.S. Postal Inspector Jeff Long, Minneapolis, told about 150 Brainerd lakes area residents at the forum that the "bad guys" are placing hidden cameras or different slots onto ATM machines and stealing a person's account information and Personal Identification Number.
The two-hour forum, sponsored by AARP Minnesota, a nonprofit group dedicated to making life better for people 50 or older, aimed to educate people about how they can protect themselves from identity theft and other crimes.
John McCalley, the AARP Minnesota director of public outreach, said the number of criminals who prey on others to steal their identity is growing. He said about 10 million Americans were victimized last year and eight out of 10 of the victims are elderly.
Long said there are several scams, including mail fraud, lottery, sweepstakes and charity frauds, identity theft and telemarketing schemes.
"The golden rule is if it sounds too good to be true, it is," said Long. "There also is that saying that there is no such thing as a free lunch."
Long said anytime a person receives a letter about winning a lottery or sweepstakes and the person is asked to send money, chances are it most likely is a scam. He said if a person gets a phone call asking for money or for personal information, the person should ask the caller for a phone number to call back or ask the caller to send the information in the mail.
Long suggested people should not pay for a meal at a restaurant with a credit card because credit card information could be stolen.
Criminals can duplicate real-looking cashiers' checks and people should use caution when accepting one, Long said.
Long said criminals will do anything to get personal information, including going through people's garbage. Long said people should shred important documents that contain personal information.
He also said many criminals create a fake driver's license to match the stolen personal identity information.
"There is hope out there," Long said. "This forum is to help you."
Long said to avoid mail fraud, people should not put their red flag up on their mailbox because that lets criminals know there could be important information in it. He said people should put a hold on their mail when on vacation and take their mail to the post office or use a collection box.
Sen. Carrie Ruud, R-Breezy Point, said legislators are working on a bipartisan bill, the Clean Credit and Identity Theft Protection Act, that would curb identity theft and protect victims whose identities were stolen.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER can be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.
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