ST. CLAIRSVILLE — City leaders and employees wished seniors a Happy Valentine’s Day Wednesday with candy and flowers.

St. Clairsville Mayor Kathryn Thalman said along with the St. Clairsville Senior Center, they would visit the Beacon House Senior Living residence, the Senior Suites at St. Clair Commons and talk to people on the street.

Officer Greg Clark of the St. Clairsville Police Department assisted as part of his outreach efforts in the community. He said he would also take the opportunity to warn seniors about financial predators.

“We’re reaching out to senior citizens,” he said. “We’re going to go give them a carnation and really talk to them about the scams going around lately. Really, this time of year, it’s the IRS scams: ‘You’re delayed on your taxes. You owe back money.’ We’ve even got scams about utility payments since utility rates have went up, so we’re trying to just give the senior population and also everybody that needs to learn about this.”

Clark said such scams tend to be prevalent among older individuals.

“They’re the most vulnerable right now, and sometimes they get confused when they get mail or a phone call,” he said. “You get a phone call or an email saying that your back taxes are due.”

Clark said the scammers often threaten their victims with prosecution, adding that they pose as police departments, the IRS and other agencies.

He noted that scams are prevalent throughout the Ohio Valley and across the country.

“I would recommend if anybody has any questions, contact their local police department,” he said, adding that scammers most often operate outside of the area and it is difficult to track down the phone numbers and contact information.