Connie, 64, became anxious — fearful, even — as the automated voice on the other end of the telephone warned that her Social Security account had been compromised, triggering an enforcement action against her.

Given a number to call to clear up the matter, Connie was asked for her Social Security number, birthdate and other personal information. Fortunately, fear turned into suspicion and Connie hung up.

While the person above is fictional, the scenario is all too real for hundreds of thousands of Americans cheated out of billions of dollars annually by scammers via phone, email, texts, online and in person.

That was the message delivered Aug. 14 by representatives from Chase Bank on Florin Road and AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons). A multiracial group of abou

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