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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnti-Scam Seminar WALLY HERGERCOMMITTEE ON 2No DISTRICT,CALIFORNIA °aA WAYS AND MEANS PLEASE REPLY T0: SUBCOMMITTEES: ❑ WASHINGTON OFFICE: 2268 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING AA RANKING MEMBER (202)225-3076 TRADE 1' DISTRICT OFFICES: HUMAN RESOURCES /// INDEPENDENCE CIRCLE,Su lam C 3 (530)fM-1-8363 Con ezz of the Oniteb *tateg ❑ 410 HEMSTED DRIVE,SUITE 115 REDDING,CA 96002 Joouge of Repregentatibe$ (530)223-Ei898 � aa'bington, ;DC 20515-0502 0ARa°�s�PsRvrs©Rs www.house.govlherger July 28, 2008AUG 0 12008 Q Dear Interested Party: R©V jLLE' CALIFORNIA On Tuesday, August 19th from 8:15 am to 9:45 am, I will be holding my third annual Anti-Scam Seminar, an informational forum for senior citizens. This meeting, aimed at preventing senior fraud will be held at The Oakmont retirement residence at 2801 Cohasset Road in Chico. A buffet breakfast will be served. I am hopeful you will be able to attend this event. These seminars were inspired by a tragic example of the affects of senior fraud. In 2006, Sutter County law enforcement teams searched the Feather River for one of my constituents, a 75-year-old Yuba City woman named Norma Anderson. Norma's clothes were neatly piled along the banks of the Feather River. Witnesses say they spotted a woman from the Fifth Street bridge in Yuba City swimming in the Feather River. It was early April just after the unseasonably wet and rainy March. Norma doesn't swim. Water releases from Oroville Darn caused high water flows down the Feather River. Her husband, Jim,believes his wife may have taken her own life after being defrauded of over $500,000 through international lottery scams. To date,Norma is still missing. Scam artists often use the promise of valuable prizes like vacations, diamonds, or cars. When the innocent send money,they end up in a vicious cycle of more mail and more fabulous prize announcements. These criminals who prey on senior citizens are essentially engaging in long distance elder abuse. While we may not be able to catch the perpetrators, as many often operate from foreign soils,my hope is that we can put them out of business, at least in northern California. The best way to do that is to provide information to those who these scam artists target: senior citizens. In this case, information is indeed power. My office is sponsoring several forums throughout the Second Congressional District in order to educate, raise awareness, and protect our elderly population. We are also contacting local media outlets to ensure that we reach the largest group feasible. I am enclosing a copy of a flyer that helps publicize this event. Feel free to post this flyer anywhere that you think would be best in reaching our targeted audience. Any assistance that you may be able to provide in notifying interested parties who may wish to attend this forum would be greatly appreciated. BUTTE COUNTY ADMN`iSTR.ATION AUG 0 5 2008 r ,�„� �', � _) ��� `.�� �,,.� OROVII.LE,CALIFORNIA I intend to hold two additional forums throughout the district that I represent. Ultimately, I believe that a public event of this nature, coupled with press coverage, can help us inoculate our community against future scams. If you should have any further questions or comments, feel free to contact Carol Barsotti of my Chico District office. She can be reached at (530) 893-8363. I hope to see you on August 19th at 8:15 am. Oincerely 1) LY HERGER Member of Congress WH:cb Enclosure