Residents Beware of the Latest Phone Scam

Scammers are always finding new ways to steal resident’s personal information. Sometimes you might get a caller who demands money because “your niece is in jail in Mexico,” or “your grandson just hit a car and drove away.”

It’s good for residents to stay informed on what strange tactics these criminals will come up with next.

This time it’s recorded “robocalls” that are claiming to be affiliated with the New York State Office for the Aging.

The calls tell you to “Press 1” to access free Medic Alert pins and thousands of dollars in coupons in order to obtain your personal information.

Legislator Steve Stern (D-Huntington, 16th L.D.), Chairman of the Veterans and Seniors Committee, advises residents not to respond to these calls.

Kelly Brown Mateja, Director of Aging Projects and Community Collaborations for NYSOA also confirmed that these calls are a scam.

The NYSOA does not give away items, money or coupons and never solicits personal information over the phone.

Residents should never give away personal information to anyone who contacts them and they should hang up the phone immediately.

“Many of us have received phone calls seeking personal information or making offers of free gifts or other benefits,” Stern said. “Government offices do not make phone calls or send e-mails or texts, soliciting personal information. Scammers try to scare people into providing this information. It is important to remain vigilant and refuse to disclose personal information to unsolicited callers.”

Financial scams should be reported to the Consumer Protection Division of the New York State Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-771-7755, the New York State Department of Financial Services at 1-800-697-1220 or the New York State Department of State at 518-474-8583.