Vermont Attorney General Launches ‘VT Scam Alert’ System

MONTPELIER, Vt., June 29 -- Vermont Attorney General xxx issued the following news release:

Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan joined Vermont Emergency Management Director Erica Bornemann along with Vermont businesses, advocacy groups, and utilities to announce the addition of a statewide "VT Scam Alert." "VT Scam Alert" is an emergency notification tool that is part of "VT Alert." This pairing allows members of the public to receive instant alerts by email, text, or pre-recorded telephone message when a new financial scam has hit the state.

Thousands of Vermonters collectively lose hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to telephone, internet, mail, and door-to-door scams. "Scams are the number one complaint we receive - thousands of calls representing hundreds of thousands of losses," General Donovan said. "Today we're doing something about it. The VT Scam Alert will help Vermonters avoid being scammed by raising the alarm about new scams that could harm them and their family members, friends, neighbors, and communities."

When the Attorney General's Office learns of a new telephone, internet, mail, or door-to-door scam that is affecting Vermonters, it will issue an alert by email, text, and pre-recorded voice message to those who have signed up to receive alerts. System participants choose how they get alerts. Each alert will briefly describe the new scam, what to do if contacted by scammers, and what to do if money has been lost to the scam. The Attorney General is asking Vermonters for their help in stopping losses to scams.

General Donovan said: "when you get an alert, we want you to make sure you share that information with people you know. If you think someone you know may be getting scammed, call us to connect them with help. Together, we can send a clear message to scammers that they're wasting their time when they call Vermont."

"Vermont Alert has been a valuable tool to Vermonters," VEM Director Bornemann said. "The public has been warned of coming storms, road interruptions, evacuations, and other conditions that help them protect themselves and their families. We are happy to partner with the Attorney General in this effort to provide further public benefit through the use of VT-Alert."

Roberta Harold of Montpelier helps manage her mother's finances and supports a scam alert system. "It's especially important for friends or family members who may be caring for a vulnerable person so they can warn a loved one and avoid having them taken advantage of," she said. Harold said that both her mother and she recently received calls from telephone scammers impersonating the Internal Revenue Service. Harold said she was aware of the scam, but others may not. And, that it would be useful to know when new scams are active in Vermont.

Businesses and advocacy groups alike are supporting the system's implementation, including Green Mountain Power, Fairpoint Communications, the VT Bankers Association, and AARP-VT.

"A Scam Alert system is a great proactive way to let Green Mountain Power customers know when they might be at risk," said Kristin Carlson, Vice President of Strategic & External Affairs at Green Mountain Power. "We support getting the word out about scams, especially those that target utility customers threatening them with phony shut-offs if they don't pay. This is a great follow up to our recent awareness campaign working with the Attorney General, retailers and energy companies to educate Vermonters and stop scams from happening in real-time," she said.

"Consumer fraud and scams are a fast growing problem that AARP takes very seriously'" said Greg Marchildon, state director at AARP Vermont. "Every 2 seconds, someone's identity is stolen. Identity theft, investment fraud and other scams cost Americans $18 billion last year alone! Anything we can do to better prepare the public is a step in the right direction and the Scam Alert system can make a real difference here in Vermont."

"We're delighted to work with the Attorney General and the Department of Public Safety to protect Vermonters from scams and frauds," said Chris D'Elia, President of the Vermont Bankers Association. "Educating bank customers is a top priority; alerting Vermonters about scams and how to protect their financial resources has been ongoing for many years. This new collaborative is yet another tool in that effort."

The launch of the VT Scam Alert follows on the heels of the Attorney General's "Scam Buster" campaign in which the Attorney General is partnering with utilities and retailers to raise awareness about utility scams and stop them from happening in real-time. Additional scam-related campaigns are in the works, including a collaboration between Vermont's Department of Aging and Independent Living, the Attorney General, the Community of Vermont Elders (COVE), the Savvy Seniors of Lyric Theater, and ORCA Media to develop and publish this September a series of web videos meant to educate older Vermonters on common scams that target them, and how to protect against them.

To sign-up for the VT Scam Alert, call 1-800-649-2424 or visit consumer.vermont.gov. Those who have already signed up for Vermont Alert can receive scam alerts by adding that notification on their account at www.vtalert.gov.