Sen. Johnson to host forum on scam awareness and fraud protection

Following a growing trend of scams and fraud around the state, Sen. Chris Johnson and Rep. Michael Devin have organized a public forum for people to learn how to better safeguard their personal identity and financial information. Officials from AARP will lead in the presentation and will be available to discuss ways to combat scams and fraud.

“Identity theft or falling victim to a scam have long-term consequences and create serious hardships for Maine people,” said Sen. Johnson, a Somerville Democrat. “This is a big problem in our state, particularly for retirees, and the goal of this forum is to raise awareness while informing Maine people how they can protect themselves against these ongoing threats to their financial security.”

According to AARP, millions of Americans lose billions of dollars to scams and fraud every year. In Maine, identity theft tops of the list of crimes. There were more than 500 reported cases of identity theft in the state in 2013, the most recent year for which data is available.

The forum will be held on Wednesday, March 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Skidompha Library in Damariscotta. All are welcome to attend.

“This is an important opportunity for people to learn how to protect themselves from all the scams that are out there,” said Rep. Devin of Newcastle. “I hope people will come, ask questions and then share what they learn with their friends and neighbors across Lincoln County.”

AARP staff and volunteers have been delivering scam awareness presentations and work in collaboration with the Maine Council on Aging, law enforcement, community leaders and other organizations to combat fraud and scams in the state.

WHAT:                 Public Forum on Scam Awareness and Fraud Protection

WHO:                   Sen. Chris Johnson, Rep. Michael Devin, AARP officials

WHEN:                 Wednesday, March 2, 2016 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

WHERE:               Skidompha Library, 184 Main Street, Damariscotta