For Beth Stanko of Boardman, it started innocently enough. A mailer offering recipes and cooking supplies -- for just a buck-a-month. She said "a dollar a month. I can afford a dollar a month, what's wrong with that?"
But when the first bill arrived, the charge had jumped to $24 a month.
It's just one of the scams being discussed as part of a Consumer Information Fair at the Boardman Public Library branch.
Ohio Attorney General Rich Cordray said his office is seeing more and more predators taking advantage of victims of the state's bad economy, calling the problem "the lowest of the low." Cordray said those who've recently lost their jobs or are in fear of home foreclosures need to watch out.
The same advice can also apply to the elderly, who officials say are often the most frequent victims of fraud. Experts said it's often a generational thing. Seniors don't want to be rude, telling us "people that want to take advantage of them know that."
Kay Lavelle of the Senior Services Unit of the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office said children of older adults should educate themselves on potential scams that could target their parents. In the meantime, Beth said we all need to be aware and pay attention, telling us "read the find print and don't be taken by these scams."
Experts said if you have questions about an unsolicited program or service you received in the mail, over the phone or on-line, you can call the Better Business Bureau in Youngstown at 330-744-3111 or the Senior Services Unit of the Mahoning County Sheriff at 330-480-5078.
