Rotarians “Lunch & Learn” focused on fraud and scams

By Jeffra Wise DeViney

The Rotary Club of DeQuincy held their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Thursday, June 5 with a “Lunch & Learn” program at CrossPoint Community Church Fellowship Hall.

Featured speaker was Lt. David Doucet, with Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office who spoke about fraud and scams.

Lt. Doucet, who has worked financial crimes for the past five years explained 90% of scams are financial in nature and gave some tips to pass on to family and friends. He indicated Calcasieu Parish alone, lost $1.5 million to scams; globally there are losses of around $6 billion in the year 2024. These dollars are used to mostly sponsor terrorism and most people know someone who has been scammed. Lately, texts are sent out about tolls being owed. He said unless you’ve travelled lately to New Orleans or Houston there are no tolls in our area and he said do not reply to these text messages. He said another popular scam is a pop up from computer support which pops up on your computer screen with a number to call tech support. He said if you get a pop-up do not call the number, it’s a scam. He said go to your phone call the number you have for tech support; do not download anything! The rule is never download anything unless you know the person. Arrest warrants are another scam, he said that no law enforcement will ask for Crypto currency nor will they call you; they go to your house to arrest you if you have a warrant. At this time Louisiana Department of Wildlife is the only agency he knows that accepts Crypto; but be diligent and hang up and call them. These scammers use scare tactics. Always call Sheriff’s Office or DeQuincy Police before ever sending any money. Bitcoin scams are prevalent now; there is no way to get your money back from Bitcoin.

Another popular scam he highlighted was “Romance Scam”. Scammers target elderly from obituaries looking for someone who has lost a loved one. They go to social media and begin to stalk them and start building a relationship and will work up to asking for money or a plane ticket or for a hardship. Do not send them money.

He said there is a new scam every day. Facebook Marketplace is full of scammers; do not buy anything unless you actually see it in person. The biggest red flag is you have to act “right now”; they try to pressure you to keep you on the phone and not hang up. A couple others are rental scams and sex offender scams. Bottom line if it sounds too good to be true… it is a scam! When in doubt call the authorities and never give out your banking or credit card information.

There will be no meetings held for the Rotary Club on July 3 and Aug. 7 due to a Summer Hiatus. The next scheduled meeting will be Thursday, Sept. 4. Have a great Summer!

For more information call President Jeffra Wise DeViney at 337-912-5063.

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