Scam prevention meeting planned for Nov. 5 at Waitsburg Town Hall

WAITSBURG - Anyone with a cellular or internet connection has most likely experienced scam attempts. These attempts take many forms and keep changing as safeguards are put in place.

On November 5, 2025, Karen Huwe, Pastor Heidi Lum, and the Town Hall Board are hosting a scam intervention and information meeting for seniors. The event will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the Waitsburg Town Hall.

Speakers will include representatives from the Waitsburg branch of Banner Bank and the Walla Walla Sheriff's Office.

In recent weeks, residents have not only received scam communications but at least seven have lost money by engaging with them. Most of the scams were emails or texts about unpaid utility bills. The scammers claim the recipient is at risk of immediate action to shut off their services if they do not respond and pay the past balance.

These emails often look legitimate, with logos and letterhead copied from the actual utility provider. If you receive an email or text saying your account is past due and you are going to lose service, do not respond to the email or text. Go to the utility's website or call the support phone number on your bill to see if there is a problem with your bill.

Other scams targeting seniors include Facebook messages from people claiming to be friends or relatives who need bail money. An older person can also be vulnerable to phone calls from someone claiming to be a grandchild who needs bail money or help with another emergency.

Possibly the most emotionally and financially deceptive are romance scams. Romance scams on Facebook involve scammers who create fake profiles to manipulate people into relationships, and then steal money. They often claim to be overseas in the military or working abroad. They quickly profess love while avoiding video calls.

Red flags include asking for money (especially via gift cards or cryptocurrency), having inconsistent stories, a limited online presence, and pressuring you to move the conversation to another app. Often, their profile will show few friends or posts.

There is a Hulu documentary series, "Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam," that follows victims of the same scam as they meet to uncover the truth. Over three episodes, the women find the man in the photos and the criminal organization behind it all.

The Hulu documentary shows how good internet criminals are at building trust and intimacy with their victims. Even after family members and friends tried to intervene, some of the women continued to believe their online relationships were genuine.

This is a very lucrative scam, and victims often lose tens of thousands of dollars. In the movie, some of the women lost their entire life savings and assets.

These women are not unique; they are our neighbors, friends, or family members. Learning how to recognize scams will help us protect ourselves and our community.

"The Waitsburg Times" is planning a series of internet and social media fact-checking and safety workshops and town halls in Waitsburg and Dayton over the next six months. These events will be open to the public and free.