September 29, 2011



Dear E-Newsletter Subscriber:

We'd like to tell you about a scam that is targeting Duarte's senior population.

This week a Duarte Resident received a phone call from someone who represented themselves as a City of Duarte employee and wanted to provide services to a senior through a program where teens help the elderly. Through the course of the conversation, this individual asked the senior if she needed any work done around her house, which she did. The person told her that they could come and do some repairs for $600. The senior called her family and had this checked out before making such
a contract with this person and it is currently under investigation.

Duarte's Promise: The Alliance for Youth runs the People Helping People program under the supervision of the City Manager's Office and Duarte Teen Center. The program's goal is to unite teenage volunteers with local senior citizens to aid them in their homes with light housework, yard work, escorting, and friendly visiting at absolutely no cost. Both the volunteer youth and adult go through an informal background check and fill out paperwork. There are no cold calls made or
soliciting via phone. Seniors are recruited through the senior center or at senior residential homes in our community.

This could happen to you or your loved ones. Remember the most vulnerable victims to this type of crime are our seniors, please keep them informed.  If you have information about fraud, report it to Duarte Public Safety at (626) 357-7931.