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Scams and Cybercrimes: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Money and Your Identity is an educational presentation sponsored by the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). During this 75-minute interactive session, participants will gain a clear understanding of how scams are designed and executed, along with practical, actionable guidance to help them recognize and stop fraud before becoming a victim.
Bill Peyser is a retired CPA and finance professional and an active member of the MCPD’s Keeping Seniors Safe program. Through this initiative, he and his colleagues present regularly to senior groups across Montgomery County to raise awareness about the growing threat of scams and cybercrime. In 2024 alone, such crimes resulted in estimated losses exceeding $83 billion nationwide.
Many cybercriminals operate within highly organized, sophisticated crime syndicates based overseas, and their ability to conceal their identities makes investigation and prosecution especially challenging. As a result, education remains the most effective defense.
Mr. Peyser’s presentation will examine the two primary psychological manipulation techniques scammers use to pressure individuals into sending money or disclosing sensitive personal information. He will then highlight some of the most common scams, phishing schemes, and fraudulent text messages, providing clear examples of warning signs and “red flags” to watch for. Participants will also learn proactive steps they can take to better protect themselves from exploitation.
The program includes a brief case study, followed by firsthand testimony from a scam victim, and concludes with an audience question-and-answer session.