BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Kathleen Dolecki fought back tears while telling a story which detailed how she was allegedly scammed.

She said ordeal has taken a toll on her finances and ability to trust again.

After she was contacted over a year ago about winning a lottery, she said her hopes soared.

Along the way, she says, there were threats of arrest by people posing as federal law enforcement.

“I have lost just about everything,” Dolecki said.

Dolecki says she first received a call from a person posing as an FBI agent.

“If I did not do what they said, that they would put anybody in jail,” she said.

She was then told that she had won a $50,000 lottery.

“And they knew that I was sick fighting cancer,” Dolecki explained. “They prey on people. They prey on the elderly. And they prey on people like me.”

U.S. Attorney William Hochul says Kathleen’s story serves as a grim reminder of what fraudsters are capable of doing.

“They are ready, willing and able to steal your life savings. Your retirement. Your identity, and your good name,” Hochul said.

Dolecki is left with a loss of trust and security, and financial devastation.

“I had lost all my savings. I had lost all my retirement. And they even talked me into taking a home equity loan on my home,” Dolecki said.

Her scam story comes as National Consumer Protection Week (March 1-7) is in full swing.

NCPW is a coordinated campaign that encourages consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their consumer rights and make better-informed decisions.

Authorities say fraudsters take advantage of people by using cell phones, fake names and the Internet to hide their true location, which many times is in a foreign country.

“Victims are duped into sending payments through wire transfers, cash and checks in the mail, and through pre-paid loadable debit cards,” said Shelley Carosella of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

In recent weeks the Better Business Bureau has seen a spike in telephone scams.

“Everything from prizes, sweepstakes, grants, loan offers, phony checks, checks in the mail and phishing scams,” said Warren Clark, president of the Better Business Bureau serving Upstate New York.

Among other things, the BBB encourages people to call their office if they run into questionable dealings with regard to consumer rights.

“We know the best defense to avoid falling prey to scammers and other unscrupulous behavior is a well-informed consumer,” Clark added.

10 Ways to Avoid FraudWhat to Do

  • Know who you’re dealing with.
  • Know that wiring money is like sending cash.
  • Read your monthly statements.
  • After a disaster, give only to established charities.
  • Talk to your doctor before you buy health products or treatments.

What Not to Do

  • Don’t send money to someone you don’t know.
  • Never pay fees first for the promise of a big pay-off later – whether it’s for a loan, a job, a grant or a so-called prize.
  • Don’t agree to deposit a check and wire money back.
  • Don’t reply to messages asking for personal or financial information.
  • Don’t play a foreign lottery.

Victim of a scam or fraud?