AUSTINTOWN — A new program being created at the Austintown Senior Center could help seniors and others avoid scams.

Jim Henshaw, director of the senior center, has been studying the scams created to prey on seniors, to help people avoid falling victim to them.

“I am compiling a list of all the known scams out there,” he said. “I am going to list them on the Austintown Senior Center website, explain how they work and how to avoid them.”

He said the list is being assembled through information provided by the offices of the attorneys general in Ohio and Maryland, and the federal government.

Henshaw said some may remember the “Nigerian prince” scam. The scammers would tell people the “prince” needed to hide his fortune in a U.S. bank and was willing to give up a great deal of his fortune in exchange for some up front expenses. The scam worked at getting Americans to part with their money for a chance at an instant fortune.

“This scam is one of the oldest and has netted over $1.5 million,” Henshaw said. “It actually started in the mid-1940s when it was pulled off through the mail.”

The list posted at www.austin townseniorcenter.org will have the latest information.

“I was amazed at how many there are,” he said.

On a similar note, zoning Inspector Darren Crivelli said during Monday’s township trustees meeting that there have been reports of vendors going door-to-door for electric and gas contracts.

“If they knock on your door and try to tell you that you’re not enrolled in the township’s gas and electric aggregate program, that is just not true,” Crivelli said.

He said all residents are automatically enrolled in the township’s aggregate program. They would have to opt out to not be in it.

As for the vendors, Crivelli said the township does issue them permits under the Ohio Revised Code, so they are permitted to go door-to-door.

“We do give them permits, but they don’t work for us,” Crivelli said.

He said if you think they are offering a better deal, get your gas or electric bill out and compared the prices.

Trustee Ken Carano warned to watch out for the companies that give you a great rate for the first couple of months, then raise it for the remaining months of the contract.

“Just keep in mind that Austintown residents are enrolled in the aggregate program,” he said. “If they try to tell you different, don’t listen to them.”