DA's Office Working To Protect Senior Citizens From Con-Artists

PITTSBURGH,None — Con-artists are getting creative, and they've found seniors citizens are easy prey. Channel 11's Robin Taylor has learned that the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office is giving seniors the ability to fight back. "I was just unlocking my apartment door and a young woman approached me," said Senior Citizen Rosemary Baumgardner.

Baumgardner is a resident at Steelworkers Tower. She said a woman claiming to be selling candy didn't deliver on a promise to bring back her change.

"So I gave her the $20, Stupid me. But I never saw the candy or the $20 again," Baumgardner said.

Many thieves target victims by going door-to-door, especially in retirement homes, said officials.

Michael Feeney, who is an elder abuse activist from the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office, said it doesn't stop there.

"They call them and tell them, 'You're on the list and we're just checking Social Security numbers. You give it to us and we won't bother you again,' A lot of people go for it," said Feeney.

Feeney said crooks are also preying on elderly victims by befriending over the phone and getting more information with each new call.

"They're lonesome. They got a new friend and the next thing you know they give this information out," Feeney said.

Feeney is working to educate local seniors on how to protect themselves. He said everyone should tell their elderly loved ones to keep their personal information confidential.

• E-Mail Newsletter: Get The Latest News Sent To Your E-Mail! • Mobile: Get WPXI Headlines On Your Phone, iPhone, More • RSS: Add Us To Your Page!

WPXI