District Attorney Helps Watertown Seniors Avoid Scams, Abuse

WATERTOWN, MA – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan recently hosted a Senior Protection Seminar at the Watertown Council on Aging to provide helpful advice on avoiding scams and elder abuse.

Ryan was joined by Watertown Chief of Police Michael Lawn, Eastern Bank's regional fraud investigators Melissa Beaver and Barbara Minkwitz, Watertown Council on Aging Director of Senior Services Annie-Marie Gagnon and Mikala Viscariello from Protective Services.

Ryan's presentation to seniors touched on topics such as handling unsolicited calls for donations, where to go for helpful information or services and protecting personal personal information from identity theft.

"If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is," Ryan reminded seniors in Watertown.

Prior to serving as the Middlesex District Attorney, Ryan served as chief of the office's Elder and Disabled Unit, prosecuting a range of crimes involving financial abuse and physical abuse of senior and disabled citizens.

Speaking from her experience in such crimes, Ryan advised seniors to remain skeptical if they receive a phone call or letter claiming they will receive money in exchange for personal information. She also reminded attendees that age-old safety precautions, such as locking your front door, never giving personal information to strangers and prohibiting people who claim they have an emergency from entering your home, still apply in these modern times.

Ryan also urged those who believe they've been a victim of a scam to tell someone and report the crime to the police.

The Middlesex District Attorney's Office partners with local police departments, elder services and community banks to present its Senior Protection Program in cities and towns.

Photo (L-R): Melissa Beaver, Regional Fraud Investigator; Eastern Bank; Barbara Minkwitz; Regional Fraud Investigator, Eastern Bank; Watertown Chief of Police Michael Lawn; District Attorney Marian Ryan; Watertown Council on Aging Director of Senior Services Anne-Marie Gagnon; Mikala Viscariello, Protective Services Worker, Springwell

Photo submitted by the Middlesex County DA's Office