NEW ROADS — Point Coupee Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill are warning senior citizens about the risks of being taken in by internet scams.
Thibodeaux hosted the first ever Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, or S.A.L.T. luncheon on Aug. 21 in New Roads, providing additional resources for seniors and warning them about some common forms of fraud law enforcement agents often see.
“Anybody can be a victim. There are a lot of people out there that are trying to prey on you and on us. They’re very smart and have some pretty interesting schemes to try and get to our money,” Murrill said. She then described one common scam where a scammer calls someone, claims there’s a warrant out for their arrest, and then asks for money to “resolve” the warrant.
“They don’t do that,” Murrill said. “They’re not gonna call you and say there’s a warrant out for you and if you just pay $500 over the phone, the warrant will go away. That’s not how it works.”
Murrill explained that government agencies don’t call people on the phone to solicit payments for anything.
Dianne Cashio, with the attorney general’s office, also warned the group to never give out personal information to strangers, especially things like social security or driver’s license numbers.
“I always tell everyone if they’re not in your contacts in your phone and you don’t recognize the number, don’t answer the phone. If it’s important, they’ll leave you a message,” Cashio said.
After the presentations, senior citizens were treated to several games of bingo.
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