Beware of Scams and Fraud Targeting Seniors

Criminals often use an emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic, or a national effort such as the 2020 Census, to prey on senior citizens. 
 
The City of Folsom and Folsom Police Department would like to remind you to be on the lookout for scammers. Oftentimes, scammers will try to impersonate a government agency, a utility company, or a business, in the hopes of getting you to pay them money or share personal information.
 
Please check in on your senior loved ones and help them avoid a scam by reminding them of these tips: 

• Don't answer phone calls from numbers you do not recognize.
• Do not give any personally identifiable information over the phone or to individuals you do not know.
• Hang up on robocalls.
• Be extremely wary of any unsolicited email providing information about coronavirus, even ones that claim to be from reputable organizations. These are likely to be scams or "phishing" attempts to get you to provide personal information or to infect your device with software viruses.
• Beware of any products or services that claim to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure COVID-19. 
• Beware of calls stating a loved one is in jail and needs bail money. Try to contact that family member directly before giving any money.
• Any caller asking you to send money via gift card is probably a scammer. 

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, City of Folsom councilmembers and staff members have contacted hundreds of senior citizens to check on their well-being and needs. We will never ask for your personal information over the phone, by email, or by text, so do not give out your Social Security number, credit card number, bank account number, or other personal information. Anyone who asks for such information is likely a scammer.
 
If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud, contact the Folsom Police Department at 916-355-7231.
 
For senior resource information and assistance, call 916-461-6618 or seniorassistance@folsom.ca.us.
 
For more information about scams and how to protect yourself, visit the California Attorney General website https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/COVID-19.