Local News
Local News

Scams targeting elderly on the rise

By Bill Rankin
May 19, 2011

It’s an ingenious scam, prosecutors allege. Buy a cellphone and register it under the name “Georgia Powers,” so that’s what shows up on caller ID.

Then start calling elderly people, convince them you are their longtime utility company and get them to turn over credit card numbers and other personal information.

You can read the full story about this scam in Monday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

About the Author

Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.

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