According to the National Council on Aging’s website, the crime of the 21st century is financial scams that target seniors because they are thought to have a considerable amount of money in their bank accounts.
These scams have the potential to be devastating to older adults, leaving them vulnerable and with no time to recoup their losses, the website states.
At times, it’s not just strangers that commit these crimes. The National Council on Aging states that more than 90 percent of reported elder abuse is committed by family members including their adult children.
This Monday, seniors will have the opportunity to learn about scams at the Protection from Fraud seminar being held at the Senior Center of South Pearl River County.
The program will be led by Mississippi State University Extension Office’s agent Alex Shook.
“I will be sharing tips, recommended by the University, with attendees about how to avoid being scammed,” Shook said. “I will discuss a variety of scams including identity theft and phone and email scams.”
According to Shook and Senior Center Executive Director Darlene Adams, MSU’s Extension Office hosts programs each month at the center.
“We try to pick topics that are relevant for the senior age residents of Pearl River County,” Shook said.
Adams said these types of seminars are held about twice a month and the public is always invited.
Topics range from health and wellness to social issues, Adams said.
“We try to provide civic and volunteer services to keep our seniors knowledgeable in all areas,” Adams said. “In the past, the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department, Picayune Police Department, business leaders and District Attorney Hal Kittrell have spoken to our seniors about scams.”
Adams said some of the center’s participants have been victims of scams and these type of seminars keep them attune to any new scams out there.
The Senior Center of South Pearl River County is located at 45 El Patch Parkway in Picayune. Contact the center by phone at 601-798-9892.
Learn more about the center by visiting the website at www.srcentersouthprc.org and follow the center on Facebook at The Senior Center of South Pearl River County.
The center’s hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monthly calendars are available at the center and can be downloaded through Facebook. Anyone is welcome to call and request a calendar, Adams said. One can also be mailed or emailed to them.
“I encourage everyone to come in person and see the center,” Adams said.
The Protection from Fraud seminar will be begin at 11 a.m. on Monday Jan. 12 at the senior center.
Learn more about the National Council on Aging at www.ncoa.org.