Palos Park, IL – The Palos Park Police Department is hosting two free community seminars this Wednesday, November 5, to help residents learn how to avoid becoming victims of scams, fraud, and identity theft. Sessions will be held at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Kaptur Center, 8999 W. 123rd Street.
According to police, the presentations—titled “Scams, Schemes, and Exploitation”—will cover the latest tactics fraudsters use to solicit funds, steal personal information, and compromise computer security. Officers Bob Kotsianis and Scott Van Wagner will lead the discussions, offering practical steps residents can take to protect themselves and their loved ones.
The event comes as scam losses continue to climb nationwide. The FBI reports Americans lost $16.6 billion to scams in 2024—up 33% from 2023—with seniors accounting for nearly a third of those losses. Over the past five years, total scam-related losses have topped $50 billion.
Police encourage residents to attend and bring questions or concerns about potential scams they may have encountered. Additional resources will be available at the event, including information on credit monitoring, phone call screening, and cybersecurity.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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