T
he Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office hosted a workshop to help residents identify and prevent real estate fraud targeting older adults. Led by Supervising Deputy District Attorney Dana Filkowski, the event aimed to equip attendees with tools to understand and prevent elder financial abuse.

    Filkowski highlighted the heightened risk facing residents aged 50 and older due to increased trust in others and limited familiarity with digital platforms. She noted that older individuals are more likely to own homes and have equity, making them attractive targets for scammers. Filkowski emphasized that prevention is key, as once real estate fraud occurs, it's difficult to reobtain stolen funds.

    The workshop covered foundational knowledge for fraud prevention, including notarized signatures, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office Real Estate Fraud Notification Program, and types of real estate crimes. Filkowski stressed the importance of community outreach and education in preventing real estate fraud.

    Her team plans to continue offering outreach and training about common scams against homeowners. The District Attorney's Office operates a Fraud Hotline at (925) 957-8705 for those affected by fraud, with complaint forms available online at www.contracostada.org/ConsumerComplaints.