Somerset Fraud Awareness & Prevention

Innocent Mainers are under attack every day. Fraudsters are trying to take personal and financial advantage of innocent people by scamming them over the phone, text messages, emails, and on websites. Millions of dollars are lost, and people are hurting. Although a greater number of young people fall prey to scams, larger sums of money are stolen from older adults who have more assets to lose.

Somerset Economic Development and our partner AARP Maine want to help you! That’s why we are bringing our Fraud Awareness & Prevention workshops to towns throughout Somerset County. Learn how to avoid being exposed, how to identify their tricks, and where to go for help. 

Our FREE 1-hr workshop will include a presentation and Q&A on various scams including romance, home improvement, impersonations of family, banks and businesses…as well as how to identify threats on texts, emails, phone calls, social media, and internet websites. This is a live, interactive meeting where your questions get answered.

Remember: If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Below is a current list of workshops being offered throughout the county. New dates and towns are being added each week, so please check back if you don’t see your town listed.

  • June 1, 6pm – Bingham Town Office

  • June 2, 11am, 2pm, 5pm – Hartland Tanning Center, 62 Elm Street

  • June 11, 11am - Palmyra Town Office

  • June 15, 5pm – Athens Town Office

  • June 24, 6pm – Cambridge Town Office, 202 Ripley Rd

  • June 25, 10:30am – Smithfield Town Office

  • July 22, 6pm - Smithfield Town Office

  • Sept. 10, 4pm – Norridgewock Public Library

 

Please know there is no shame if it’s happened to you.  It’s not your fault - the blame and shame is on the criminals. Know that we have people who care and want to help you!

So bring your friends & family to a FREE class in your town - so you don’t become victim of the next scam. Register in advance through AARP Maine’s link or simply walk-in. A sample flyer is included below. Please reach out for a flyer specific to your town.

For more information, reach out to State Representative Liz Caruso, SEDC Broadband Director, at 207.399.9992 or somersetbroadband@gmail.com.