Seniors learn to avoid falling prey to scams

Seniors are often the victims of scams. Education and information are the best defense against being taken in by false or deceptive practices. Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky invited New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office to the Oceanside Senior Center Oct. 8 to talk with local seniors about detecting scam artists and how to not fall victim to their ploys. Paul Matthews, a Senior Investigator in the Attorney General’s Long Island Office, led the presentation.

Among the topics covered; how to be sure the person you are dealing with is legitimate, not making snap decisions, obtaining copies of all documents, seeing beyond fancy titles and being aware of free services and guaranteed products.

“It was important to me to bring this program to Oceanside so that our elderly neighbors can learn how to protect themselves from falling prey to scammers,” said Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky.

 “The presentation was extremely informative and very important because scams can damage and destroy people’s lives,” said Bernie Hirschhorn, an Oceanside resident.