'Tis The Season To be Wary' Part I

(Part 1 of 2)

By Sandra Coopersmith

Features Writer

We've all heard the saying, "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time." If former child actor Adrienne Omansky and her Stop Senior Scams Acting Program have their way, seniors, who represent 30% of scam victims, will avoid getting fooled any of the time.

Omansky, an adult education teacher for Los Angeles Unified School District for 37 years, originated the first commercial acting course for older adults in 1993. She'd seen the need for senior actors after taking her mother, who had a successful career in commercials and television, on interviews.

"In 1998 my acting class was called upon by former Councilmember Nate Holden to present some skits on senior scams," Omansky said. "Five years ago we were asked by community liaison Virginia Tokunaga at Felicia Mahood Multipurpose Center in West Los Angeles to again write some skits on senior fraud."

The Stop Senior Scams Acting Program, "a collaboration with the seniors writing the skits based on firsthand accounts of the scams as well as the experiences of their relatives and friends," was on its way.

They communicate with several organizations and agencies, including Department of Consumer Affairs, LAPD, County District Attorney's office and City Attorney's office. Resource material is obtained from the FTC in English and Spanish (Spanish-speaking actors are now being cast for skits in that language). Connor White, artist/educator at the Geffen Playhouse, helps Omansky craft the skits, which change constantly to reflect current scams in the community. "Our information is checked for accuracy by our two former judges and writing team, and we pass out information informing the seniors where they can report scams," Omansky said.

Her actors range in age from 60 to 96.

"Peggy Mollin, 96, has been in my program eight years and recently got a commendation for her volunteer work," Omansky said, beaming. "I am very pleased that the JoCo Dance Theater led by Culver City resident and teacher Joni Palmer is now part of our program. Joni is also our choreographer."

Omansky has worked with Senator Holly Mitchell, Senator Ted Lieu and Assemblymember Richard Bloom in providing the program for Senior Fraud Awareness and Prevention Seminars. "Senator Mitchell took our Senior Awareness Day Resolution to the State Assembly in 2013," she said.

The program has been presented at many venues, including Culver City Senior Center, L.A. Convention Center, libraries, and numerous senior facilities. Organizations requesting a presentation may contact Omansky at [email protected].

Debbie Cahill, the Culver City Senior Center's Senior Program Specialist, expressed pleasure with the event held there.

"It was a great presentation that combined humor and serious information about scams that target seniors," she said. "The actors are polished and the scripts are highly amusing. Each skit is followed by a commentary by two judges who tell about the real scams out there, giving real advice on how to avoid them, and they always end, Smokey the Bear style, with 'Only YOU can prevent Senior Scams!' And both ladies who play the judges are retired judges."

The 40th presentation of this program, held Nov. 12 at the Fairfax location of National Council of Jewish Women/LA ("NCJW/LA") under the auspices of NCJW/LA and the City of West Hollywood Senior Advisory Board, was facilitated by Ruth Williams, who is both Director of Advocacy for NCJW/LA and a Public Safety Commissioner for the City of West Hollywood. Ruth Zeitzew, NCJW/LA Board Member and Past President, opened with introductions and a warm welcome. For further information regarding the many ways in which NCJW/LA advocates and provides for women, children and families in need and at risk, see http://www.ncjwla.org.

The afternoon kicked off with "Fantasy," a dance presentation performed by five dancers from the JoCo Dance Theater: Liz Bernstein, Hazel Bond, Phyllis Farrell, Lucy Fried and Aleli Neal. Choreographer Joni Palmer, who appeared on Broadway in The Wiz and on television in Fame, currently teaches a dance class at the Culver City Senior Center (1-310-253-6700).

Omansky then commented, "It's not a fantasy that seniors are primary targets for fraud," neatly segueing into the seven skits that followed.

HEY, YOU HIT MY CAR: The scammer tells you to pull over, claims you hit his car, and says the insurance company doesn't need to know. You can give him a cash payment as he knows someone who can fix the damage. (Be sure to stay in the open; do not get out in a secluded area.)

IRS SCAM: The scammer calls, identifies himself as an officer of the IRS, tells you the last four digits of your social security number, says you are late in taxes from last year and payment must be made that day or you will be arrested and your property confiscated. Fortunately, he's authorized to accept payment by credit card. (IRS will communicate with you by letter only. If you're concerned about your return, call IRS at 1-800-829-1040.)

VACATION HOME SCAM: A vacation home is rented to several people at the same time without the owner's knowledge. (Know with whom you're dealing before you hand over money for a rental.)

EMAIL SCAMS: These are prolific and include notification of a lottery win, requiring you to remit a processing fee; someone you know got mugged, travelers checks were stolen, and money needs to be wired; an offer to save money on car insurance; and money left in a will, send your social security number and credit card number so funds can be credited to your account. (The perpetrators, who are often in another country, make it very easy for you to comply. Also, when you click on links in emails, you may be releasing malware into your computer.)

DRIVER'S LICENSE SCAM: You see a flyer offering assistance in getting your driver's license back. You call, someone "official" comes to your home and, in exchange for a substantial payment, assures you that your license will be mailed shortly without the need for an eye exam or driving or written exam. (The DMV does not make house calls.)

OBITUARY SCAM: Con artists scan obituaries for victims. One typical scam involves a woman calling upon a widower, saying she knew his wife (generally from an organization listed in the obituary) and came to express her condolences. The widower is vulnerable and those condolences end up being costly. (Beware of strangers turning up on your doorstep.)

GRANDPARENT SCAM: You get a phone call, could be a variant of "I'm a friend of your grandson. He's in Spain in jail." This could be accompanied by "Please don't tell anyone. He doesn't want his parents to know." (Many loving and concerned grandparents fall for this one.)

(To be concluded next week.)