By Grey Winn, student writer It was a beautiful day outside as dozens of senior citizens arrived at the Harnett County Government Complex March 26, but they didn’t come to talk about the weather, they came to talk about crime. White-collar crime, that is, and thanks to the efforts of Campbell Law Alum and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, seniors across the state are learning to prevent it. Marshall’s efforts are part of the state-wide “Scam Jam” program designed to inform North Carolinians on the dangers of identify theft, Medicare scams and other fraud. “Being informed is the best way to stop fraud in its tracks,” she told her audience. “If nothing else, after today you will have the knowledge of what to ask and where to go for help.”At least 15,000 North Carolinians fall victim to fraud or identify theft each year according to the Attorney General, with many of them being seniors. While seniors are not the only victims, they’re often the primary focus of scams such as sweepstakes or health insurance scams. Marshall said seniors make easy targets, because they’re good natured. While she believes in good manners, she said there’s nothing rude about hanging up on a suspicious caller or shutting the door on a crafty salesman. “Fraud is someone trying to steal your money,” she said. “You wouldn’t be friendly to a bank robber or a burglar, so why would you be friendly to a con man?”Audience members nodded attentively in approval as they took in the words of Marshall and other speakers while examining the numerous information guides provided. After speaking at Scam Jam events for nearly five years now, Marshall said she’s found her work rewarding. “You can really see the empowerment happening, you can see the light bulbs coming on,” she said. “I feel very comfortable equipping senior citizens with the information they need to protect themselves, to ask questions, and to know they have a right to ask questions.” After graduating from Campbell Law in 1981, Marshall spent years in the courtroom defending victims of domestic violence before serving as a state senator in 1993, and becoming the first women elected secretary of state in 1997. More than twenty-five years after graduating, however, Marshall still credits Campbell with providing a firm foundation for her successful career. “Campbell Law was a place for people like me. I was more than just a number, I had a personal relationship with my professors, and the school’s record speaks for itself: it’s a quality legal education,” she said. Marshall is currently seeking re-election as secretary of state, and is scheduled to be the commencement speaker for Campbell Law’s 2008 graduation ceremony.
Campbell Law Alum Protects Seniors against Fraud