Ocean Ride buses getting word out on senior scams
Ocean Ride buses are more than just transportation vehicles, they are now information vehicles providing a perfect venue to promote Ocean County programs and services.

Members of the Ocean County Board of Freeholders recently joined with Ocean County ProsecutorMarlene Lynch Ford in unveiling the newest tool in the campaign against senior citizen scams: a poster advertising the telephone number and a warning to riders about scammers in Ocean County.

"This information will reach more than 150,000 people using Ocean County's public transportation system annually," said Freeholder John P. Kelly. "Providing good information is one of the best tools we have to keep our residents educated and aware of what is happening around them."

The posters on Ocean Ride buses traveling the system's 17 different bus routes come with a simple message - that if someone needs help or information they can call the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office at (732) 929-2027.

"Anyone can be a victim of a scam - young or old, educated or self-educated. No one escapes being a potential target," Ford said.

"When the scam artist, however, targets a certain segment of our population because they are elderly, frail, alone or suffering from physical or mental limitations, that makes the conduct all that more reprehensible.

"Today, we are taking a big step in educating the public about financial scams," she said. "Our seniors have worked too hard during their lifetime accumulating their resources, and our government owes it to them to take a tough stand against these criminals."

Freeholder Gerry P. Little noted that it is not only the bus that carries an important message, but the bus driver.

"With the help of the prosecutor's office and Sgt. Cindy Boyd, our drivers have been informed about scams and are able to inform our riders what to do should they have a question or concern," Little said. "We are providing more than transportation, we are helping to educate and raise awareness."

"These drivers come in contact with many seniors, day in and day out," said Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari. "Our riders can find comfort in knowing that Ocean County cares enough to go above and beyond."

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Senior Scam Task Force, through conferences and educational seminars, has reached thousands of Ocean County residents and businesses, alerting them to the potential for scam artists and the easy steps that can be taken to report them, according to a press release.

"The tides seems to be turning when it comes to scams," Boyd said. "When the task force was started in 2001, the original calls mostly were from victims. Now many people call to make us aware of a potential scam, not because they are a victim of one. These calls have been helpful when it comes to putting the scam artists out of business."