BEWARE OF SWEETHEART SCAMS

Beware of Sweetheart Scams!

Of all the scams targeting older adults, the online dating (Sweetheart or Romance Scam) may be the most devastating to the victim for not only their financial loss but their emotional loss. This scam is primarily perpetrated online and over the telephone. The scammer convinces the victim they are in love with them rather quickly in the relationship, and gains their trust for the sole purpose of getting the victim's money.

According to the FBI website, here are some tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of this scam and reminding consumers the scammer may only be interested in your money if he or she:

Presses you to communicate using personal e-mail or instant messaging instead of the site you met them on;
Professes instant feelings of love;
Sends you a photograph of himself or herself that looks like something from a glamour magazine;
Claims to be from the U.S. and is traveling or working overseas;
Makes plans to visit you but is then unable to do so because of a tragic event; or
Asks for money for a variety of reasons such as visas or other official documents, losses from a financial setback or crime victimization.

Do not send money through any wire transfer service to someone you met online. The chances of recovering your money are very slim.

If you believe you are the victim of this crime, please file a report with the FBI at www.ic3.gov You can also report scams to the Alabama Attorney General's Office.

Shelby County Retired Senior Volunteer Program

The purpose of RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) is to provide volunteer opportunities for seniors (55+) to share their time and lifetime experience in their communities. Shelby County currently has over 1,136 seniors that volunteer their time and talents with agencies and programs throughout the county. The program has 170 volunteer opportunities (stations) to choose from.

RSVP senior volunteers provide approximately 25,500 hours of service each month and have impacted the lives of many people in Shelby County in the past year. Since January 1, 2000, Shelby County RSVP has served over 3.1 million hours volunteering, valued over $63.2 million. Recognition is provided for the senior volunteers with a spring picnic and December awards recognition brunch.

RSVP is very proud of all our senior volunteers and very grateful to the continued, wonderful support of our county commission. Shelby County RSVP is a vibrant, growing organization that is vital to the well being of the county’s senior population. Senior volunteers share their time and experience and benefit not only others in the county, but themselves most of all. A senior that is active and involved in their community, benefits both mentally and physically, and is happy making a difference.

For more information about volunteer opportunities, please contact Marvin Copes. If we don’t have an area of interest we will attempt to make a match to fill your aspirations in volunteering. All seniors need to keep active and this is one way.

Marvin Copes, Coordinator
108 West College, P.O. Box 1343
Columbiana, AL 35051
(205) 669-3837 fax (205) 669-2035
marvinc@positivematurity.org

February 13, 2017 - Blount
February 23, 2017 - Walker
February 28, 2017 - Shelby
March 7, 2017 - St. Clair
March 14, 2017 - Chilton

Our mailing address is: