With online and banking scams increasingly targeted at older Americans, Caddo Parish District Attorney James E. Stewart Sr. and Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator plan a question-and-answer session for older residents Thursday, December 6, 2018.

The meeting, to be held in conjunction with the Caddo Council on Aging, will be at 10 a.m. at the Valencia Community Center, 1800 Viking Drive, Shreveport. The parish’s two senior elected law enforcement officials each will speak and then will take questions from attendees. The event is free and open to the public.

“We all receive calls every day from scam artists,” says D.A. Stewart. “Senior citizens are especially vulnerable to these scams. Do not give your Social Security number or Medicaid number over the phone to strangers. The IRS does not telephone you regarding debts owed, they only contact you through the mail. Do not respond to emails asking for your bank account information. And do not wire money to strangers to get a relative out of jail. You can call any local jail to ascertain if your relative is being held there.”

Sheriff Prator often warns of scams targeted at the elderly and notes “there is a list of scams as long as my arm. But it seems the ones we hear about most often have to do with taxes, warrants, jury duty, or family members who are in trouble. My advice is to educate yourself and your family members about common scams. If you get a call like this and it raises your suspicion, stop right there. Don’t provide money or personal information. Call the Caddo Sheriff’s Financial Crimes Office 681-0700 if you aren’t sure what to do. We’re here to help.”