HAMMONTON -- For the past seven months, authorities have seen a noted increase in telephone and Internet scam cases targeting seniors.

Police Detective John Panarello said the department's detective division has investigated 50 incidents, which could lead to the victims turning over valuable information such as credit card numbers, bank routing numbers and even Social Security numbers.

"There's a lot of variety of scams out there," Panarello said. "There's the telemarketers, Internet scams and check scams. It seems that they are going after the elderly residents here. They are getting targeted."

One of the first scams Panarello and fellow detectives Gerry Martinez and Joel Frederico investigated involved a fake lottery check.

"With the lottery scam, you'll get a check in the mail. It's a legitimate check, which is forged and stolen from a company. It says you've just won say $250,000 in a lottery. They send you a check for a portion of it," Panarello said.

One Hammonton woman recently received such a notice. With her "winning" notification letter, she received a check for $3,900.

"They said if you cash this check, send $2,200 back and you'll receive the remainder of your $250,000," Panarello said. "The subject cashed the check, turned around and sent them a check. The check bounced and they were out that $2,200."

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