Spring 2025.
Letter from Hon. Gale Brewer:
Tens of thousands of people nationwide are victims of a scam every year—in 2024 alone, scams cost Americans $47 billion. As the New York Times reported,
“People of all ages and socioeconomic levels are potential targets, but older Americans are particularly vulnerable. They’re more likely to have amassed savings, and they’re perceived to be more isolated or perhaps less computer savvy. “There are also more entry points for scammers now—in our text messages, social media, dating sites or online groups. That silly personality quiz you just whizzed through on Facebook? It might have been created by fraudsters phishing for personal details…”
If you’ve been scammed…
☛ Do NOT send more money to
“undo” the scam
☛ Do NOT try to fix it alone—get help!
☛ Do NOT ignore the incident out of
embarrassment
☛ Do NOT blame yourself
I hope you find this guide a helpful starting point in preventing or dealing with the aftermath of a scam.
Sincerely,
Gale A. Brewer
City Council Member
To see Hon. Gale Brewer’s Guide, Click here