Fraud Prevention Program at MCLS

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Federal Trade Commission data shows that consumers reported losing more than $12.5b to fraud in 2024, which represents a 25 percent increase.

Scammers can use a variety of ways to reach you and Muskingum County Library System Assistant Librarian Jeffrey Cornett, announced an upcoming event that will teach attendees how to more easily detect many fraudulent scams.

“The Area Agency of Aging is going to help us offer a scam and fraud program directed for seniors,” Cornett said. “Essentially fraud and scams are growing as a problem. The FTC has indicated in 2023 over $10 Billion was lost in fraud. That’s billion with a B. That number increased in 2024 to $12.5 Billion dollars, so we’re here to offer information to help people prevent that.”

The information session is aimed to help seniors, their family members or caregivers to identify, prevent and report fraud.

“You can contact the Area Agency of Aging, the Federal Trade Commission, the Better Business Bureau; these are good places to start. Also when you see information that’s too good to be true, please be alert. If you have questions, ask people who are more tech savvy. Call the library, we’re happy to help as well,” Cornett said.

The program will be offered twice. The first will take place from 11am-12pm, Tuesday, April 8th, at the Dresden Branch Library. The second will take place between 2-3pm, Thursday, April 10th, at the South Branch Library. You can register by calling the library at (740 453-0391) or by visiting them online.