TPD dealing with increase in scams

Rhett Wilkinson
Posted 11/8/19

At least two local entities are dealing with a dramatic rise in internet crimes against the state’s aging population.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

TPD dealing with increase in scams

Posted

GOSHEN COUNTY – At least two local entities are dealing with a dramatic rise in internet crimes against the state’s aging population.

Seniors are some of the most vulnerable to internet scams in Wyoming, according to the FBI internet crime complaint center. In 2018, Wyoming residents 50 years and older reported losing $3.42 million due to internet crimes after losing $1.42 million just the prior year.

The Senior Friendship Center and Torrington police department both said they have taken action. Linda Cockett, the executive director of the SFC, said the organization has offered various classes to its seniors dealing with watching for scams and how to avoid them.

“And we also publish in our newsletter monthly if there is a new scam going around,” Cockett said.

Larry Curtis, the Torrington Police Department community liaison officer, regularly visits with seniors to answer any question they have, Cockett said.

Those meetings were coined by Cockett as “Conversations With a Cop,” said Curtis, who said Oct. 30 he was at the senior center the prior two Tuesdays during lunch hour for about 2-1/2 hours at a time. Curtis started Oct. 1 as the police department’s community liaison officer.

“I have fielded questions from probably a dozen folks, a dozen seniors,” Curtis said.

Curtis can answer questions about items that are not a scam, that police are concerned about things happening in their neighborhood.

“It’s really been a great experience for me,” Curtis said.

Curtis is there, available in the SFC cafeteria, in case seniors do not want to call the police department, feeling like a bother, Curtis said. 

“They are not,” Curtis noted. “I want to give my thanks to the senior friendship center,” Curtis said.

Curtis wants to make Conversations with a Cop a weekly event.

“One of our strategies is public education,” Curtis said. “It’s getting out there and into the places where the citizens meet and having them see me and me meet them.”

Curtis said it is about hearing their concerns, rather than just being reactive and waiting.

“Local seniors are losing thousands and thousands of dollars to internet scams and phone call scams,” Curtis said. “If we can make people feel confident that somebody is trying to cheat them, they just need to hang up that phone.

“The moment they feel uncomfortable with that phone call … they can call me,” Curtis said.

Curtis said local banks have been helpful as well. In his position as a community liaison officer, Curtis has been meeting with individuals and organizations that will help him develop partnerships to help assist in crime prevention.

“To that end, I have met with folks in economic development and chambers of commerce,” Curtis said. He has also met with Goshen County School District No. 1 Superintendent Ryan Kramer, principals, and local prosecutors and attorneys. The meetings have also included Curtis’ fellow officers.

“We can’t arrest our way out of a lot of problems, we can’t ticket our way out of a lot of problems,” Curtis said. “(We’ve been) putting into practice strategies that get us closer and in touch with vulnerable citizens.”

Curtis said he could almost be classified as a senior citizen and that his primary focus and job is crime prevention.

“Because of that, I have a real concern and focus on seniors in the community,” Curtis said.

The police will get three to four calls a night over the course of a weekend regarding scams, Curtis said.

“In all likelihood, it’s someone trying to steal their money,” Curtis said. “We just have to look out for each other.”