Common Scams and Frauds Targeting Seniors

The Manitowoc County Public Safety Committee today announced a free presentation that is open to the public about “Common Scams and Frauds Targeting Seniors.” This topic is timelier than ever, as consumers lose more than $40 billion a year to telemarketing fraud and people over 65 years of age are especially vulnerable.

The informative session will be led by Ben Merens, an Outreach Specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. With 21 years of experience as a talk show host on Wisconsin Public Radio, Ben brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this critical topic.

Help keep yourself, your family and Manitowoc County safe by always staying vigilant.  We look forward to seeing you at this important and informative event.

Presentation Details:

Thursday, August 22nd 

• 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CT: Manitowoc County Office Complex, 4319 Expo Dr., Manitowoc, WI, 54220
• 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM CT: Kiel Community Center, 510 3rd St., Kiel, WI 53042

Wednesday, September 25th

• 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM CT: Lester Public Library, 1001 Adams St., Two Rivers, WI 54241
• 4:00 PM—5:00 PM CT: Whitelaw Fire Department, 330 E Menasha Ave, Whitelaw, WI 54247

Topics Covered:

• Steps to take if you or someone you know falls victim to a scam or fraud
• The higher median loss for seniors aged 70+ compared to younger victims in 2023
• Phone, text, and email scams (including the use of AI in scams)
• Social media scams
• Government imposter scams
• Utility scams
• Tech support scams
• Grandparent scams
• Investment scams (including cryptocurrency)
• Warning signs of a scam
• Distribution of helpful factsheets from the Bureau of Consumer Protection