By Michele Taranto

The five or six weeks of the holiday season is a time to rejoice with family and friends. There is typically a lot going on, i.e., shopping, entertaining, dining out, baking, wrapping, services, and much more. It is also a time when consumers can very easily get distracted and let their guard down. Unfortunately, predators are aware of this and use this busy time to target people either online, through phone calls, email, or even postal mail.

The Town of Norwood is addressing this increasing problem with the initiation of the Norwood Anti Scam Task Force. The idea was originally suggested by Town Manager Tony Mazzucco, approved through the Norwood of Selectmen, and is currently comprised of members from the Council on Aging, Norwood Police Department, Board of Selectmen, Norwood Public Health, and Norwood Bank.

Their Mission Statement:

The Norwood Anti Scam Task Force (NASTF) is staffed by Town of Norwood employees to provide education and awareness of scams that are occurring in Norwood. The task force is using a collaborative, cross-departmental approach, with a focus on older adults and those who may be more vulnerable, to help improve residents’ lives by preventing and reducing scams that occur.

Look for a town-wide mailing from The NASTF over the holidays for more information, but in the meantime, residents are encouraged to stop and evaluate who/what is asking for money. If unsure, engage the help of others to investigate before reaching in your wallet for cash or a credit card, or driving to the bank or a store.

Once implemented, the NASTF will increase education around Town on how to protect yourself from fraudulent activity, including what to look out for, warning signs of suspicious behavior, and what to do if you think you have been scammed.

The program will also increase awareness of common fraudulent activity, such as telephone, gift card, banking, lottery, and charity scams. 

As mentioned in its mission statement, the group will have a focus on older adults, (especially those over 65), and will work towards reducing the number of senior citizens affected by scams through increased awareness and education and decrease the negative stigma and shame with being a victim. 

Throughout the holiday season, be vigilant of monetary requests, and keep a look out this month for more information on the Norwood Anti Scam Force through their town-wide mailing. In the meantime, anyone who feels they have been a victim of fraud should contact the Norwood Police Department.