by David Chapman
Staff Writer
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Those were a few of the lasting words from longtime Ch. 12/25 consumer reporter Ken Amaro to almost 75 Meninak members Monday during the civic organization’s weekly meeting.
The bow tie-clad reporter has been investigating consumer fraud and negligence claims in Jacksonville for almost 20 years and said he’s come to a stark realization over the course of his career.
“I’ve come to realize that when it comes to American consumers, there seems to be a curse on us,” explained Amaro. “Greed.”
Amaro discussed the findings of an annual long-running Federal Trade Commission report on top consumer scams, with identity theft topping the list. Other fraudulent claims that littered the list include complaints about work-at home scams, foreign money offers (typically called “Nigeria” or advance-fee scams), false prize/sweepstakes offers, Internet auction fraud and computer equipment and software intrusion.
“People fall for these all the time and if the opportunity is right you can too,” said Amaro. “It doesn’t matter about education level.”
Amaro noted the study’s results that said $1.2 billion was lost to fraud last year, with the figure in the coming year likely much higher due to the now-notorious Bernard Madoff ponzi scheme (“He certainly Made-off with a lot of people’s money,” quipped Amaro.) resulting in billions lost by one plan itself.
Fraud and monetary loss isn’t just limited to individuals, either, he warned.
“Small businesses, mom-and-pop businesses have fallen victim,” he said. “Businesses that are trying to grow and go to places that help them but, when in fact, they can’t. They had to suffer because they did business with people they thought they could trust.”
Though the economy has slumped in recent years, Amaro said the number of calls he receives to investigate potential fraud and negligence has remained steady. There is a difference, though.
“The nature of the calls has changed,” he said. “I’ve gotten more calls of caution and frustration.”
With unemployment rates continuing to rise, complaints about unemployment benefits and flaws with the system have become more consistent, he said.
Additionally, with the country in the middle of a foreclosure crisis, Amaro said he has received more calls on the issue, mainly dealing with victims who lost their homes. He often refers them to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid for guidance and assistance.
“One thing I’m seeing more of is renters who are having the property where they lived foreclosed on and dealing with the emotional impact,” he said.
The next Meninak meeting will be Feb. 23, as the organization observes President’s Day on Feb. 16.
For more information, go to www.meninak.org.
356-2466