Seniors in Pajaro Village, Bay Village and Pajaro Vista were brought up to speed on a number of current scams Thursday, from phone and text messages, U.S. Postal Service, credit and debit cards, and even door to door methods in a town hall meeting at the Community Room in Pajaro Village.
Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeff Rosell was joined by County Sheriff Chris Clark and others from the Sheriff’s Office in a presentation that explored issues such as the signs of a scam, what scammers want and what to do in the event of a scam.
“In my experience, very rarely—if ever—do I see someone show up to my door where some kind of transaction is going to happen,” Clark said. “It’s all done online. That corporations are sending people out to your neighborhood, to your door for something that can be done online makes no sense.”
Clark pointed out that if someone is trying to make a transaction over the phone or at your door, ask them to meet them at a police station or the Sheriff’s office lobby.
“If it’s a legitimate transaction—and it’s all in good faith—they’ll have no problem showing up at our lobby. And I’ve seen this happen many times.”
Rosell spoke of complications that can arise from having contractors perform work at your property, and they suffer an injury and if they lack workman’s compensation.
“Make sure you get a licensed contractor and that they have their own coverage,” Rosell said. “You can always ask to see their contractor’s license.”
Rosell emphasized typical scams that come over the phone.
“If you don’t recognize the number, hang up,” he warned. “Guard your card; don’t give out your personal information.”
He went on to warn of people posing at government agencies.
“If it’s the government, it is not dot com (.com) or dot net (.net).”
He stressed that debit cards are not as secure as credit cards.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Just last week a young man approached our home and knocked on the door. When my wife answered the door he handed her a new cell phone in a box and said, “here’s your new phone.” We never ordered a new phone. When she told him so, he asked if she was on Medicaid. She refused any of it and closed the door. It turns out several people in our neighborhood had the same experience.
Police say to refuse any unsolicited offers from people who come to your door, and to take photos and gather as much information as you can.
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INFO
Website: santacruzdistrictattorney.us
Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office Consumer Fraud & Environmental Protection: 454-2050.
Victim Witness Assistance Program: 454-2010. Their office is at 701 Ocean St., room 200 in Santa Cruz.
Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 877-382-4357.
The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office Consumer Fraud & Environmental protection phone number is 454-2050
The Victim Witness Assistance Program office is at 701 Ocean St., room 200 in Santa Cruz. Their number is 454-2010.
Free information packets are also available to the public at the Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St.
Contact all three credit bureaus online or by phone
Equifax
Equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services
800-685-1111
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Experian
888-397-3742
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Transunion
888-909-8872
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Resources
- Local Law Enforcement – Sheriff or City Police Department
- Federal Trade Commission
- United States Postal Inspection Service
- Fight Cyber Crime Website
- Medicare
- Federal Communications Commission
- Consumer Finance Protection Bureau
- Social Security Administration
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- California Attorney General
if you do not recognize the person at your front door. DO NOT RESPOND. do not waste your time.