The Latest Scams Targeting Older Adults, And How to Spot Them: Your Guide to Staying Safe in St. Paul, MN
Hosted at Cerenity Marian of Saint Paul
Scammers aren’t just getting smarter, they’re getting personal. And for seniors and caregivers in St. Paul, MN, protecting yourself (and those you love) has never been more important.
Just last month, a local senior received a call that sounded exactly like her grandson. He said he’d been in an accident… that he needed money… that he couldn’t tell his parents. Her heart dropped. She panicked. She almost sent the money, until a neighbor gently stepped in and suggested she call her family first.
It wasn’t her grandson. It was a scammer who knew her grandson’s name, his school, and even the type of car he drives.
And stories like this are becoming more common every single day.
This is the new reality, and it’s happening right here in Minnesota.
That’s why Cerenity Marian is hosting a community education event that every senior and caregiver should attend: The Latest Scams Targeting Older Adults — And How to Spot Them.
This educational session teaches exactly what personal information scammers look for, how they access it, the most common scams happening today, and what to do if you become a victim.
Why This Event Matters More Than Ever
Scams targeting older adults now involve:
- Artificial intelligence that mimics the voices of loved ones
- Spoofed phone numbers that look local
- Emails that look identical to banks or Social Security
- Fake “urgent” letters designed to scare seniors into acting fast
- Personalized details pulled from social media or public records
And because older adults tend to answer the phone, respond politely, or trust official-looking mail, scammers see them as ideal targets.
But here’s the good news: Knowledge is protection. And that’s exactly what this free event provides.
Leading the session is Patty Lammers, Crime Prevention Coordinator for the City of St. Paul, someone who has seen firsthand how these scams unfold and how to stop them before they start.
What You’ll Learn (This Is Real-World, Practical Knowledge)
During this session, you’ll get clear, actionable insight into:
- What personal information scammers try to gather
(And how they gather it without you realizing.)
- How scammers gain access to private data
Spoofing, phishing, impersonation, AI voice tools, Patty breaks it down simply.
- The most common scams happening right now
Including: Grandparent scams, Social Security scams, IRS scams, utility scams, fake sweepstakes, Medicare scams, charity fraud, and tech support scams.
- What to do if you or a loved one becomes a victim
Because freezing, panicking, or withdrawing financially make the situation worse, Patty teaches you what to do step by step.
You’ll also learn easy, memory-friendly tools to recognize scams instantly, even when your guard is down.
Event Details
When: Wednesday, January 28 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Location: Cerenity Marian – Parkview Room 200 Earl Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106
Included for all guests:
- Free, secure on-site shredding with Shred-It
- Refreshments & light snacks
- Gift basket raffle
Because protecting yourself should feel empowering, not overwhelming.
Why Seniors and Caregivers Should Attend (The Heart-Level Reason)
Because scams don’t just take money. They take confidence. They take sleep. They take trust.
Seniors often tell us:
“I felt embarrassed. I didn’t want to tell anyone.” Others say: “It sounded so real… I just didn’t know what to do.”
But here’s the truth: The scammers are the criminals. Not the victims. And you deserve to feel safe, informed, and equipped, not ashamed or afraid.
This event gives you that.
This Event Fills Fast (Because It’s Needed)
These scam prevention events always fill quickly because nearly everyone knows someone who has been targeted.
Don’t wait until after something happens. Don’t wait until a friend says, “I wish you had gone… they explained everything.”
This is one hour that can truly make a life-changing difference for you or someone you love.
RSVP Today. Protect Your Peace of Mind
Click here to RSVP.
Bring a friend. Bring a family member. Bring a neighbor who lives alone. Because staying safe is easier when we do it together.