By Pat Culverhouse
Every phone call, text or email from an unknown address, and even some bearing what appears to be official letterheads, has the potential to be efforts to steal personal information or money.
Scams abound in today’s technological world, and local residents will have the opportunity to avoid becoming a victim during a special community event scheduled Tuesday, Aug. 6 at First Baptist Church Family Life Center. Sessions are free and will be held from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
“It’s A Scam!!” is a presentation featuring panelists who will provide information on the latest scams, and steps that can be taken to recognize and avoid becoming victimized. A free lunch will be provided.
An RSVP is requested and organizers say roughly 200 persons have already responded.
Panelists include moderator Tracy Campbell of Meriweather Wealth Management; b1Bank’s Jack Byrd; Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker; Minden Chief of Police Jared McIver; and Karen Guice with the Webster Parish Council on Aging.
No one, not even businesses are immune from what has become a major criminal enterprise, said Minden Police Lt. Jason Smith, head of the department’s Criminal Investigations. Smith and Det. Sgt. Jason Lee handle the fraud cases and they see a steady stream of complaints.
“We handle several each week,” Smith said. “And, unfortunately, many are cases where the victims have already forwarded money or information to the scammers.”
According to Smith, scams are becoming more and more sophisticated as technology improves. He estimated residents of Minden and Webster Parish have already lost more than a hundred thousand dollars to scammers over the past year.
Lee said roughly one-third of his active caseload involves fraud of some type.
“There are many types of scams and the victims can lose a lot of money or their sensitive information,” he said. “Sometimes, we can trace the source but if a victim’s money is sent in digital currency it’s just about impossible.”
Both Smith and Lee believe next week’s seminar is a positive step in getting Minden residents to pay more attention to calls, texts and emails.
“We hope this will raise awareness to what’s going on out there,” Lee said. “This is a profession for those people, they’re good at it and getting better.”
“If someone can scam businesses, they can scam individuals,” Smith said. “It’s not a bad thing to be skeptical, and if something seems even a little questionable, report it to us.”