BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER)-- Many seniors took part in a seminar in Bangor Tuesday afternoon to learn how to protect themselves against phone scams and financial fraud.

Around 100 people attended the seminar put on by the Maine Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Executive director Jessica Maurer said about 1 in 9 people age 60 or older will be a victim of financial fraud or some sort of scam.

Maurer said the best thing seniors can do is hang up the phone before they hear the sales pitch.

"If you listen to the pitch, you're much more likely to be scammed. The best thing to do is if somebody calls you and starts to tell you about something you won, or something you they want you invest in, somebody you don't know, the best thing to do is say thanks I'm to busy, don't call me back," Maurer said.

Maurer said if you do listen to the pitch, ask questions like, are you registered to sell this product in Maine? Are you licensed? Is this product registered? Maurer also recommends calling 1-877-353-3771 if you have more questions or if you think someone tried to scam you.

NEWS CENTER