MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - With the complexity of technologies only growing, the ability for fraudulent scammers to gain access to virtually anyone's bank account, credit card number, or personal online accounts has become more accessible.

There is no question however, that these scammers know what they are doing. If they don't get what they want, they persistent until the person gives in.

In many situations, individuals who are older such as seniors, tend to fall victims because they are more vulnerable to the situation, especially if they are not up-to-date with the complexities of the latest technologies.

According to Greg Harris, Fraud Investigator for Meridian Township, most times the individuals behind these scams are very hard to trace due to the proximity of their location.

"Typically we see some of these, what we think are being done overseas, the people are speaking with accents, they are calling from a computer center," Harris said.

Devices to which these scammers use in order to receive the numbers from credit cards, bank accounts, etc. surprisingly can be bought online.

The retail sale of these devices however, is not for the intent of this issue, but rather for individuals who may own private businesses who wish to administer cards.

Joan MacKercher, a senior and resident in Livonia, Michigan fell victim of a phone scam recently, when the scammer persistently told her to purchase an online program to save her computer.

Feeling reluctant, but vulnerable, Mackercher finally gave the scammer her contact information and bank account number, allowing for him to prevail, but minutes after, her husband had walked into the room and realized she had fallen victim of the scam. Fortunately he was able to stop the transaction from happening.

"They focus on senior citizens like me, who was just beside myself in the situation," MacKercher said.

Fortunately, no money was lost in the situation.

According to Fraud Investigator, Greg Harris, there are ways in which you can prevent situations like this from happening:

1. Always check your bank account.
2. If it's too good to be true, it isn't.
3. Never give your credit card or social security number out over the phone, a banker will never ask you for that information unless you are physically in the building.
4. Be aware of online websites you are using.