Greendale Postal Worker Thwarts Scam

GREENDALE, WI—A postal employee intervenes when an elderly woman was being scammed earlier this month.

According to Greendale Police, the postal employee noticed the elderly woman sending out several large money orders to different people over several days. That postal worker reported the concern to police.

When police investigated, they learned the 91-year-old woman was told she won a Mercedes Benz in a sweepstake. In all, she sent $8,500 to people she believed were part of the sweepstake.

Scams involving prizes, sweepstakes and lotteries are the top frauds reported each year to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), according to AARP.

People in their 60s and up remain the largest group victimized by these scams, says a national study by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Report the scams to AARP's Fraud Watch Network helpline or call 1-877-908-3360.

You can also report fraud to DOJ officials by calling its National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).