Summer Scam Jam helps combat fraud

The AARP Kentucky State office recently hosted our annual Louisville Summer Scam Jam, which brought together 223 community members in a concerted effort to combat fraud. The day was filled with informative presentations, starting with State President Gary Adkins, who delved into the complexities of modern scams in his talk "Under the Ether." Shellie May from the Office of the Kentucky Attorney General provided crucial insights into imposter scams, a prevalent issue that plagues many unsuspecting individuals. Tasha Stewart from the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions educated attendees on the intricacies of investment fraud through bingo, equipping them with knowledge to safeguard their finances. 

The event also featured an engaging "Stop the Scammers" panel discussion, moderated by Scott Reynolds of WDRB. The panel boasted a lineup of esteemed experts: Josh Smith from the US Postal Inspection Service, Corinne Keel of the US Department of Justice, Michael Helsby from the US Secret Service, and Whitney Adkins representing the Better Business Bureau. Their diverse perspectives provided a comprehensive overview of the scamming landscape and the collaborative efforts required to thwart such activities.

One of the most impactful moments of the day was the survivor's story shared by Patricia Kaster, who courageously recounted her experience of losing approximately 1.7 million dollars to scammers. Her story, which also caught the attention of WDRB for an interview, served as a sobering reminder of the devastating impact of scams. Paul Troy from Jewish Family & Career Services concluded the presentations by advising on the appropriate channels for reporting scams, emphasizing the importance of community vigilance.

The event underscored the alarming statistics shared by the Kentucky Attorney General, revealing that nearly 52 million dollars were lost to scams in Kentucky in 2023 alone. Furthermore, the Federal Trade Commission reported staggering losses nationwide, with 1.86 billion dollars stolen through bank transfers or payments and 1.4 billion through cryptocurrency in the same year. These figures highlight the heightened vulnerability of older individuals, who often face more significant financial losses.

The AARP Louisville Community Team played an instrumental role in the success of the Summer Scam Jam. The event's message was clear: by sharing knowledge, encouraging reporting to law enforcement, treating victims with empathy and respect, and working together, communities can effectively prevent fraud and disrupt the fraud business model that preys on those 50 and up in our communities.