Detectives Andrew Castaneda and David Alejos of the Mesquite Police Department informed residents of Del Webb Sun City of a growing epidemic of scams, schemes and swindles.

Almost 100 attended the Sept. 24 event at the Pioneer Center and were provided information about fraudulent activity and ways to protect themselves.

Grandparent scams, tech support fraud, government imposter schemes, romance scams, investment fraud, lottery scams and home repair scams are seemingly everywhere, leveraging deception to steal money or personal information. Scammers often use technology to gain trust, exploiting seniors’ politeness and financial stability through calls, emails and online platforms. To protect themselves, seniors should verify claims independently, protect personal information and report suspicious activity to trusted sources like the FTC or their bank.

One of the most prevalent local scams is with gift cards. Due to their untraceable nature and the ease with which funds can be transferred, these scams are on the rise. With the Christmas season approaching, more seniors rely on giving gift cards when they are unable to do shopping in person. Scammers pressure people to buy a specific gift card, like Amazon, Google Play or Walmart, and give them the numbers and PIN from the back, effectively converting the card’s value into untraceable cash.

Thieves can tamper with physical gift cards before they are bought and shelved. They may steal the card’s details with a handheld scanner or by placing a sticker over the barcode. Once the card is activated, the scammer drains the funds immediately. Legitimate companies, government agencies and family members will never ask for payment via gift card.

Consumers are encouraged to check gift cards for signs of tampering, such as torn packaging or scratches on the security code.

Other schemes include imposter scams, where people impersonate government officials (like the IRS and Social Security), utility companies or tech support that demand immediate payment via gift card to avoid fines, service shutoffs or computer problems.

In prize scams, a person is told they’ve won a prize but must pay fees or charges with a gift card to receive it. AI also enables scammers to perform emergency scams, where they replicate the voices of loved ones from videos shared on social media. Scammers even use voice cloning to make people think they are receiving calls from the police department.

Attendees were advised not to use the Wi-Fi services at the airport or restaurants, as the information on their computers may be compromised.

The bottom line: Do not give out any information on the phone or via email. Do not click on any links in emails when unsure who the sender is. Remember that no legitimate company will ask you to make a payment with a gift card. Contact your bank immediately if you suspect that you have been a victim of fraud. Call the Federal Trade Commission to report fraudulent action.