Fraud – whether in the form of financial abuse, such as unnecessary charges, or outright theft of personal information and funds – is something we all have to constantly look out for. And seniors are especially vulnerable.
Why? Older Americans tend to be targeted by scammers for reasons ranging from being more trusting to being less vigilant. But one of the primary reasons that seniors are frequent victims of fraud is Medicare. Crooks make up phony charges and steal personal information when unsuspecting seniors give out their Medicare account numbers. Once that information is compromised, the sky’s the limit.
Organized and scheduled as part of Older American’s Month, this year’s annual Fraud Summit, presented by United Way’s Area Agency on Aging and its Senior Medicare Patrol program, is designed to inform seniors about scams to watch out for, how to protect themselves and what to do if they discover or suspect that they’ve been violated.
The Fraud Summit will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15th at the Hoover Senior Center (400 Municipal Drive, Hoover, AL 35216). Seniors and/or family members, caregivers and professionals in fields related to aging are all welcome.
The popular community education event will feature a series of speakers, who are all experts in their fields, sharing valuable information and advice to help empower attendees to better protect themselves. Speakers include representatives from:
- Hoover Police Department, speaking on fraud and abuse.
- FBI Birmingham, addressing internet scams and Artificial Intelligence.
- Alabama Securities Commission, discussing how to safeguard savings and investments.
- Cadence Bank, with advice about online banking, online shopping and text alerts.
- FMS Pharmacy, addressing the safety and value of unregulated dietary supplements.
- Alabama’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, speaking on elder abuse and fraud in nursing homes.
The information and assistance available from Senior Medicare Patrol will also be discussed, and time will be allotted for questions and answers.
In addition, there will be an expo of event sponsors related to senior services; and staff from the Area Agency on Aging will be on hand to familiarize attendees with the agency’s many programs, ranging from prescription drug assistance and caregiver support to nutrition counseling and legal services.
The Fraud Summit is a FREE event, but advance registration is required. Lunch is included and door prizes will be awarded. Register now by calling 1-800-AGE-LINE.