October 22nd at the Oregon Convention Center

PORTLAND, OR – Consumers lose billions of dollars each year to frauds and scams and many of those scammed are older. According to a 2011 survey of fraud victims, 81% of investment fraud victims and 84% of lottery fraud victims were over the age of 55.

To help prevent these and other scams, three Oregon agencies are hosting Scam Jam, an educational program, on Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. 

Scam Jam is an educational and entertaining program and is designed to allow the audience to learn about today’s scams and schemes, such as Medicare fraud, insurance and investment fraud, online and door-to-door scams, identity theft and other scams that target older consumers.

Speakers include: Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and AARP Washington State Director Doug Shadel, author of Outsmarting the Scam Artist. Participants will also hear a panel of speakers, moderated by Patrick Allen, director of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), that will address consumer issues such as identity theft, collection agencies, and telemarketing.

The Scam Jam event, sponsored by AARP Oregon, DCBS, and the Oregon Department of Justice, is free but participants must register; go to www.ScamJamOregon.com or call 1-877-926-8300 (toll-free). 

In addition to the speakers, there will be resource tables representing Oregon Department of Justice, FTC, FBI, USPS, Elders in Action, Multnomah and Washington County Sheriff Offices, Senior Medical Patrol, Consumer Reports, and Portland Crime Prevention offering even more information about how to be protected from frauds and scams. Participants will also receive free materials and refreshments.

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world’s largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov. Follow DCBS on Twitter: http://twitter.com/OregonDCBS. Receive consumer help and information on insurance, mortgages, investments, workplace safety, and more.

The mission of the Oregon Department of Justice is to provide outstanding legal and child support services to Oregonians and their government. The Oregon Department of Justice is responsible for general counsel and supervision of all civil actions and legal proceedings in which the state is a party or has an interest. The Department, through the Attorney General, also has full charge and control of all the state’s legal business that requires the services of an attorney or legal counsel.

Media Contacts:

Shelley Buckingham, 503-803-2725, SBuckingham@aarp.org
Ellen Klem, 503-507-1061, Ellen.Klem@doj.state.or.us
Diane Childs, 503-947-7423, Diane.M.Childs@state.or.us