Oregon Scam Jam Helps Oregonians Fight Fraud

The Oregon Scam Jam will be a series of events this year, and will take place virtually four Fridays in April, beginning April 9, 2021. Scams across Oregon have increased in the past year, as scammers use the pandemic and natural disasters of the past year to steal millions from Oregonians.

The interactive event is presented by AARP Oregon, the Oregon Attorney General's Office, and the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation.

The interactive virtual event brings together experts to highlight the types of scams across the state,  and then provides resources and tips that help protect consumers.

Doug Shadel, state director of AARP Washington, and a former fraud investigator and assistant attorney general, will kick off the Scam Jam series. Shadel is a leading expert on fraud schemes that target older people. He has co-authored three books on fraud and produced several documentaries on the subject. He co-led a three-year U.S. Department of Justice/AARP Foundation study that documented prevention strategies against fraud.

We'll look into the mind of the con artist in the first session of the Oregon Scam Jam to answer the question:  "Why do smart people get scammed?"

Attendees will learn the tools scammers use to steal billions from people every year.

The event will kick off at 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Friday, April 9, 2021.

Other speakers for the four-part series include Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, Chuck Harwood, regional director for the Federal Trade Commission, Christine Footit with the Internal Revenue Service, Tori Garcia from the Construction Contractors Board and Karla Martinez from the Division of Consumer Regulation. Billie McNeeley Johnson with adult protective services will highlight elder abuse prevention.

Registration is required for each session.

April 9, Registration LInk: http://bit.ly/ORScamJam-1"Why do Smart People Get Scammed?"

April 16, Registration Link: https://aarp.cvent.com/DisasterScamsDisasters and Scams

April 23, Registration Link: https://aarp.cvent.com/HeartScamsThe Heart of the Scam: how scammers use romance to steal millions

April 30, Registration Link: https://aarp.cvent.com/SlamTheScam21Slam the Scam - Tips and resource to help you fight fraud