MEDINA, Ohio — The Medina County prosecutor’s office has created a “Scam Squad” in partnership with the Medina County Office for Older Adults.
Medina County Prosecutor S. Forrest Thompson said that anyone can become a victim.
“Forget the stigma. Forget what you think about how someone was taken advantage of because it can happen to everyone,” Thompson said.
The Medina County Scam Squad is a financial fraud task force that unites social service agencies, nonprofits and local, state and federal law enforcement in the fight against scams.
Thomas Condosta, assistant prosecuting attorney for the Medina County Prosecutor’s Office, outlined the goals.
“One is to educate, the other is to prosecute,” Condosta said.
Condosta pointed out that many elderly people fall victim to scams and said the “Scam Squad” will support the community.
“If they call the Scam Squad number, it doesn’t have that same sort of authoritative fear that sometimes talking to the police brings,” he said.
“We have found so many seniors have fallen victims to scams through the internet, the telephone, or unfortunately, through trusting relatives,” said Laura Toth, the Director of the Medina County Office for Older Adults in a press release. “The Medina County Scam Squad is an excellent resource that will lead to the prosecution of many of these scammers.”
The “Scam Squad” hotline number will be in service beginning Jan. 10, 2023. The number is 1-877-SCAM-550.
