- Scam Jam in Sandy educates Utah residents about scam prevention.
- Participants learned about various scams, including internet, crypto and tech support.
- Experts emphasized prevention, sharing personal stories and resources to report fraud.
SANDY — The romance scam struck Rita at the worst time possible.
With many personal issues going on in her life and a panging sense of loneliness, she needed a connection more than ever.
When someone impersonating a celebrity messaged Rita on her phone, she was excited. Not only did she have a new relationship, but it was a distraction from many of the issues she was facing at the time. For the next four and a half months, she and her friend frequently messaged and got closer. It all ended after people took advantage of her and scammed her out of several thousand dollars.
Although sharing her scammer story was difficult, she believes it's important to spread awareness.
"So many people are embarrassed to come forward and admit to it. You really shouldn't because you give these people an opportunity to make even more money," Rita said, though she wished to keep her last name anonymous. "You need to report it. Don't get taken advantage of. It hurts at the end, it really hurts."
Rita's story was shared during Scam Jam, an event held in Sandy on Wednesday, designed to educate Utahns about common scams and how to avoid them.
Scamming has become a multibillion-dollar industry. With the rise of technology, social media and various ways to hack, scammers have become more and more common. In Utah alone, there were over 150,000 reports of fraud and $61 million in funds lost, according to the AARP and the FBI. Many scams typically target those over the age of 50.
It wasn't just the financial loss that affected Rita. She found herself in a darker mental spot, as well.
"It's not the shattering itself that broke me; it was the silence that followed," Rita said in a video explaining her story. "I lost part of my heart, my soul and most of all, I lost trust. … But you don't have to be embarrassed. Just get it out there — because if you report it, you are helping someone else."
Wednesday's event was packed with many seniors and their loved ones, hoping to learn how to navigate the scam-heavy world of 2025.
"When we get conned, it is not just a financial loss; it affects us mentally and emotionally," said Mehtab Syed, special agent in charge of the FBI's Salt Lake field office. "As law enforcement, we will work with our partners to hold all the perpetrators accountable. But for us, the best way to work is to stop it before it happens. Fraud is preventable."
Many of the volunteers involved with the event have personal connections to the mission of Scam Jam. Alan Ormsby, emcee and AARP Utah state director, feels a responsibility to educate people about scams, now more than ever.
"My grandfather was scammed out of a lot of money," he said. "They stole over $2 million from him in cash and about $800,000 in property."
Through work with an attorney, the FBI and acting quickly, Ormsby was able to help his grandfather recover a large portion of that money.
"That's one of the reasons why I feel so strongly about coming and doing these kinds of presentations," Ormsby said. "Because prevention really is the only solution here."
The AARP and the FBI gathered together some of the leading experts in fraud who deal with it daily. Not only did they educate attendees about the various types of scams, but they also provided valuable information about red flags to look for.
FBI supervisory special agent Michael Montoya described multiple types of scams, including internet scams, crypto, cash app, personal data breaches, phishing, secret agent, tech support, money mules, business email compromise and securities scams. Montoya encouraged people to watch for signs like misspelled items or words, look at area codes, get second opinions, talk to someone else within the company, and never be in a rush to make a decision.
Sandy Hunter, now an AARP volunteer, shared her experience of being scammed through toll texting. After being scammed by entering her debit card information, Hunter worked with the FBI and local agencies to recover her money. Still, the experience proved to be a poignant one for her.
"I learned lots of lessons that I want to pass on, so maybe it won't happen to you," Hunter told the crowd. "Keep your eyes open for the fraudulent texts."
For help reporting fraud, the team recommends people visit the IC3 website, the DOJ Elder Fraud website or simply begin talk to local law enforcement. Virustotal can help determine if a website is authentic and official. Fraud Watch Network can also provide watchdog alerts to help individuals stay informed about current and rising scams.
