Free workshop to help seniors spot investment fraud, identity theft, scams

STAFF REPORT

Friday, Oct. 18, 2013, 1:30 a.m. — Local senior citizens from Nelson County and surrounding areas are invited to a free workshop to learn how to protect themselves from investment fraud, lending fraud, mail fraud, identity theft and scams that target seniors.

The Senior Scam Jam workshop is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, at the Bardstown Senior Center, 122 Plaza Drive in Bardstown. The event is sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions, AARP, the state Attorney General’s office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Better Business Bureau.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Kentucky citizens to learn how to protect themselves in these tumultuous economic times,” said Charles Vice, commissioner of the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). “I encourage seniors to take advantage of this free and unbiased information to help guard against financial fraud.”

Participants who register by calling 800-223-2579 or visiting http://kfi.ky.gov/public/Pages/scam.aspx will be provided with lunch, take-home materials and a chance to win door prizes.

AARP research shows that baby boomers and senior citizens are natural targets for a wide range of unscrupulous practices because they have established savings, good credit and money to invest.

The Senior Scam Jam workshop’s goal is to raise awareness about the techniques con artists use, so seniors can recognize the tactics and protect themselves from fraud.

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