Fraud Watch Network cracks down on scammers

By Nancy Johnson

Indiana residents may have heard of the IRS scam and the grandparent swindle, but they might not be aware of the free Wi-Fi scheme.

That’s where a con artist steals personal information by setting up a phone as a wireless hot spot in a public place such as an airport, hotel, library or coffee shop, offering a legitimate-looking access name such as “Free Airport Wi-Fi” or simply “Free Wi-Fi.” When unsuspecting patrons choose this connection to the internet, the cyber thief can steal passwords, personal information from email or account numbers if users are banking online.

“The Wi-Fi scam is underreported. I would only check the weather on a public Wi-Fi area,” said Tish Biggs, 67, a volunteer with the AARP Fraud Watch Network—found at fraudwatchnetwork.org.

Experts warn against using public networks for any personal or financial transactions, even if the website has the security prefix “https.”

In the IRS scam, a con artist claims that you owe back taxes and demands immediate payment; in the grandparent swindle, a fraudster impersonates a grandchild or a law enforcement officer calling on behalf of a jailed grandchild and demands payment for bail.

Biggs tells audiences how to recognize and avoid the latest scams when she gives Fraud Watch presentations to community groups. “I talk about fraud trends and behavior, how con artists operate and, most importantly, prevention and resources,” said the Fishers resident, who retired in 2011 from a career in technology and public affairs.

Biggs is one of about 20 volunteers in AARP Indiana’s Fraud Watch program, which is joining forces with other organizations that work on fraud prevention, said Mandla Moyo, AARP Indiana associate state director for community outreach. Those include the offices of the Marion County prosecutor, the Indiana attorney general and the Indiana secretary of state, as well as sheriffs departments, Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana and private companies.

For example, the Fraud Watch program works with a recycling company in Evansville to host document-shredding events, where sensitive materials such as old checks are destroyed. The event is used to introduce Fraud Watch to the community, Moyo said.

The Fraud Watch program, launched in Indiana in 2014, also connects people to experts, law enforcement and fellow residents who have encountered fraud and are sharing that information so that others can be aware.

Alerts to latest schemes
The program is free to anyone of any age and provides emails alerting participants to new scams, as well as prevention tips and a phone number (877-908-3360 toll-free) to talk to volunteers trained to help fraud victims.

Volunteers give fraud prevention talks to civic groups and other local organizations at locations such as churches and libraries. “Last year, we did more than 25 presentations to community groups around the state,” Moyo said.

One of AARP’s leading partners is the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. Last year, along with the offices of the attorney general and U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D), they put on two free “Outsmart the Scam Artist!” fraud prevention forums.

Cindy Oetjen, a Marion County deputy prosecutor, participated in two telephone town hall events with AARP Indiana in the past year. In these events, Oetjen discussed common scams, shared tips and answered listeners’ questions.

In her presentations, Oetjen talks about the dangers of sharing information over the phone when you don’t know who is calling and of opening the front door to a stranger.

“That’s the first line of defense,” she said. “As folks get older, they don’t react as quickly, and they can be fast-talked and intimidated quicker. Once the thieves start talking, they lie and lie to keep you on the hook. People become trusting of the scammer.”

Oetjen said AARP’s Fraud Watch program makes for a good partnership with the prosecutor’s office. “We recognized similarities in the message we want to get to our audiences, so we decided to work together to reach as many people as we can,” she said. “Any time you share information, you help prevent others from losing money.”

To volunteer or to request a Fraud Watch workshop, call 866-448-3618 toll-free.

Nancy Johnson is a freelance writer based in South Bend.