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O'Fallon seniors warned of rising scams as NECAC outlines utility and food aid
Summary
At the Sept. 8 Senior Resident Advisory Committee meeting, Officer Steve Schneider warned of an increase in financial scams targeting older residents and urged reporting; NECAC coordinator Carrie Bridal described utility-assistance programs (one-time $150, LIHEAP up to $300, Spire help up to $1,000) and gave contact details.
The Senior Resident Advisory Committee heard repeated warnings about financial scams aimed at older residents and was given details on local utility- and food-assistance programs at its meeting Sept. 8 in O'Fallon. Police and local social-service staff urged seniors to be skeptical of unexpected callers and explained how to get help.
Officer Steve Schneider of the Newfoundland Police Department told the committee he has seen an "uptick in financial crimes towards the elderly," citing common schemes such as "grandparents' scams" and solicitations that ask victims to send Bitcoin or wire transfers. "If they ask you to get Bitcoin or any crypto, that's a big huge scam," Schneider said. He warned, "Once that money is sent, we can never get it back," and urged anyone who suspects fraud to contact the police nonemergency number and file a report.
The officer described practical steps for victims: freeze compromised accounts, close affected credit cards, and request credit reports to check for unauthorized activity. Schneider recommended staggering the three free annual credit checks from the major credit bureaus to monitor accounts and said police can help notify lenders if payday or other fraudulent loans appear on a victim's credit record.
Also at the meeting, Carrie Bridal, Saint Charles County coordinator for NECAC, outlined immediate assistance programs that can help seniors facing utility disconnects or food insecurity. She said Ameren is running a one-time assistance push that can provide $150 by appointment; NECAC's LIHEAP summer program can help with disconnect notices up to $300 through Sept. 30; and NECAC may provide up to $1,000 toward Spire (gas) accounts when an account is in disconnect status to help prevent homelessness.
Bridal described additional community supports: weekly frozen-meal pickups and hygiene products provided through partnerships with local restaurants and Sacred Heart Academy. She advised residents to make appointments by calling the Saint Charles NECAC office at (636) 272-3477 or emailing stcsc@necac.org, and noted clients can apply online via mydss.mo.gov or have an authorized caseworker or family member submit documentation on their behalf.
Committee members suggested broader outreach to senior residences, such as Home Field and Meadowood, and Schneider said he was willing to present at senior communities; he noted a fraud presentation was scheduled at the senior center on Oct. 8. Schneider emphasized that legitimate utilities and IRS representatives will not demand payment via gift cards, citing recent calls where scammers asked for gift-card payments.
The committee did not take any votes because a quorum was not present. The meeting concluded with announcements about upcoming recreation trips and a staff transition: Dalton Patton will become the new contact for adult and senior activities as the current staffer transitions out of the role. The committee adjourned and will reconvene next month.
