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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

Minister warns elderly in Ettalong

Minister for Fair Trading Mr John Aquilina visited Ettalong last week to address senior citizens about scams and cons.

Others to visit with him on the November 26 were Member for Peats Ms Marie Andrews, Senior Sergeant Burnie Fitsimmons from Gosford Police and staff from the Department of Fair Trading.,

Mr Aquilina said: "I'm advising seniors to not rush into making decisions.

"Seniors often get rushed into things and often they lose money

"Don't buy things from door-to-door salesmen. They are often fakes and can rip you off too easily.

"Here on the Central Coast, we have a high number of people trying take hard-earned money from unwary senior citizens.

"Rip-off merchants, con-artists, they all know how to target unsuspecting elderly people.

"They are professionals. They have done the research.

"Don't ever pay for things up front, especially to tradesmen and people you don't know.

"Don't give out your credit card details and always make sure that tradesmen have proof that they are professionals and that they are licensed," said Mr Aquilina.

Senior Sergeant Fitsimmons said: "There are a lot of people who will rip off elderly people.

"There was one man, who was fined $24,000 for wrongfully acquiring income.

"There is a couple going around Gosford now. They are targeting the elderly, going to their home, asking for money.

"They are pretending that their daughter is sick in hospital and that they need the money for transport so they can visit her.

"This is not true. They don't have a daughter.

"We have arrested them once but they are out there doing it again.

"Aussies have lost millions to overseas cons.

"You should never respond to junk mail," said Sgt Fitsimmons.

The Department for Fair Trading has stopped 6000 con letters from overseas from entering Australia costing the con artists just over $100,000.

For information on Scam Smart, call the Department of Fair Trading on 133 220.

Natalie Rixom, November 27