The Rotary Club of Ville Platte today (Tuesday) heard from Robin Stokes with the Better Business Bureau of Lafayette. Stokes heads up the educational arm of the local bureau informing the public of scams going on in our area. She reported she visits local senior groups on a regular basis to warn them about scammers. Stokes was informed that a local Ville Platte senior lost $15,000 in a funeral scam over several years. The scammers had taken her money over several years.  The caller ID’s doesn’t help anymore as the scammers can use local number. Some of the more popular scams are that the person being called won a grant or they owe money to the IRS for back taxes. She advised those who get calls like this, to contact the Better Business Bureau and also report it to local police. Stokes said she does special seminars for investment frauds and cyber security and often visits schools. Rotarian Nicole Wenger was in charge of the program.

      In other business, Club President Wayne Vidrine announced that the Ville Platte club reached its goal of matching a $1000 anonymous donation to assist those victims from Hurricane Harvey. Earlier, the club had raised $2500 in donations from club members to help victims through a church shelter. With the newest donations, the club has now raised $4500 all for hurricane relief.

     Vidrine reported that the club has scheduled a Halloween social planned for October 24 where spouses and potential members will be invited.