March Consumer Financial Protection Events Announced

Harrisburg, PA - Education and outreach staff from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) will be hosting and participating in numerous presentations for groups of senior citizens, service providers and the public throughout the month of March to promote financial capability and provide investor education. 

March outreach events, in partnership with the listed organizations, will be held in person and are open to the public unless otherwise noted. 

EVENTS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC 

Avoiding ID Theft: This presentation looks at ways people’s identities are stolen or compromised, what you can do if you find you have had your identity stolen, and how to stop theft from occurring.

• Cleve J. Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill (Cumberland County) on March 7 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. For additional information contact Amanda Scharrer at 717-761-3900 or ascharrer@cumberlandcountylibraries.org.

Preventing Elder Financial Fraud – It Takes a Village: Elder Financial Abuse has skyrocketed to be the number 1 issue reported and verified to Adult Protective Services staff – and that’s only the tip of the iceberg, as so much abuse goes unreported. The results of a recent national survey indicate that as many as 20% of older Americans have already experienced financial fraud or are concerned about becoming victims. As tax collectors, your interaction with residents multiple times a year could make you aware of potential indicators of fraud, such as a notice of changes in payment habits, demeanor and/or personal hygiene. This session will outline the red flags of financial abuse, latest scams facing older adults and provide resources on when and where to report.

• Hoss’s Steak House, 1140 York Road, Gettysburg (Adams County) on March 18 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Open to members of the Adams County Tax Collectors Association and their invited guests only. For additional information contact Tammie Knight at 717-630-1038 or conewagotwptc@comcast.net.

Fraud Bingo: Join us for a fun and interactive gathering that teaches consumers how to protect themselves from investment fraud by playing a familiar game – BINGO! Every day people get “scammed” out of THOUSANDS of dollars. Many times, it’s those who can least afford to lose the money!

• Special Olympics Pennsylvania, 2570 Blvd. of the Generals, Suite 124, Norristown (Montgomery County) on March 19 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This is a VIRTUAL event. For additional information contact Jordan Schubert at 610-630-9450 ext. 236.  

Cybersecurity – Staying Safe Online: Understanding how to keep your information safe and secure online is vitally important for everyone. This presentation covers key topics like using secure websites, creating strong passwords, being aware of what you put on social media, and even tips for shopping online safely.

• National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) Chapter 0664, Philadelphia Center Square, 1500 Market St., Philadelphia (Philadelphia County) on March 20 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. This is a VIRTUAL event.
• Lehigh Valley Educators Credit Union, 3720 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown (Lehigh County) on March 23 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Open to members of the Lehigh Valley Educators Credit Union. For additional information contact Brianna Glose at 610-820-0145 or gloseb@lvecu.org.

Popular Scams and How to Avoid Them: Every day people are getting scammed out of THOUSANDS of dollars by so called “professionals” looking to separate them from their hard-earned money. This presentation introduces us to commonly used tactics, what to look for and how to avoid them.

• Hospital and Health System Association of America, 30 N. Third St., Harrisburg (Dauphin County) on March 29 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. This is a VIRTUAL event.

EVENTS FOR OLDER ADULTS 

Popular Scams and How to Avoid Them: Everyday people are getting scammed out of THOUSANDS of dollars by so called “professionals” looking to separate them from their hard-earned money. This presentation introduces us to commonly used tactics, what to look for and how to avoid them.

• Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs (FG/SCP), Bradford County Emergency Center, 29 Van Kuren Drive, Towanda (Bradford County) on March 6 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. For additional information contact Sherri Gross at 570-265-6121 or sgross@bsstaaa.org.
• Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs (FG/SCP), Pinnacle Apartments, 10 Cole St., Wellsboro (Tioga County) on March 7 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. For additional information contact Sherri Gross at 570-265-6121 or sgross@bsstaaa.org.

Fraud Bingo: Join us for a fun and interactive gathering that teaches consumers how to protect themselves from investment fraud by playing a familiar game – BINGO! Every day people get “scammed” out of THOUSANDS of dollars. Many times, it’s those who can least afford to lose the money!

• Towanda Senior Center, 131 Colonial Dr., Towanda (Bradford County) on March 6 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For additional information contact Deena Mize at 570-746-2333 or towandasc@bsstaaa.org.
• The Valley Active Living Center, United Methodist Church, 118 South Main St., Athens (Bradford County) on March 8 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For additional information contact Deena Mize at 570-746-2333 or towandasc@bsstaaa.org.
• B'nai B'rith Apartments, 1616 W. Liberty St., Allentown (Lehigh County) on March 12 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM. For additional information contact Jennifer Leffler at 610-821-0207 or jennm@abbhc.com.
• Berks Encore – Reading, 40 North 9th St., Reading (Berks County) on March 14 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. For additional information contact Blanch Espada at 610-821-0207 or applaudinglife@berksencore.org.
• Mulberry Mill (Senior) Apartments, 160 W. 6th St., Bloomsburg (Columbia County) on March 21 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
• Shickshinny Towers, 19 West Vine St., Shickshinny (Luzerne County) on March 22 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Andrea Crills at 570-542-4308 or andrea.crills@luzernecounty.org.
• Quentin United Church-Christ, 11 East Main St., Quentin (Lebanon County) on March 23 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. For additional information contact Donna Eberly at 717-865-0163 or angel_dear_kids@yahoo.com.
• Berks Encore – Mifflin Center, 30 Liberty St., Shillington (Berks County) on March 26 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. For additional information contact Megan Dissinger at 610-777-5577 ext. 801 or MDissinger@BerksEncore.org.
• Kleinlife (Senior Center), 7763 Old York Road, Elkins Park (Montgomery County) on March 27 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. For additional information contact Gail Korostoff at 215-635-5244 or gkorostoff@kleinlife.org.

LEGISLATIVE EXPOS AND EVENTS 

Outreach staff will also be available at the following legislative events: 

• Rep. Barbara Gleim Fraud Bingo: Carlisle Fire and Rescue Services, 177 Carlisle Springs Road, Carlisle (Cumberland County) on March 1 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. For additional information contact Kimberly Morewood at 717-249-1990 or kmorewood@pahousegop.com.
• Rep. Liz Hanbidge’s $camJam: Spring House Estates, 728 Norristown Road,
• Lower Gwynedd (Montgomery County) on March 1 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This program is in partnership with AARP Pennsylvania. For additional information contact Kevin Carson at 610-277-3230 or kcarson@pahouse.net.
• Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz’s 2024 Women’s Resource Fair: Romanian Community Center, 51 West Lawn Ave., West Lawn (Berks County) on March 2 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. For additional information contact Yajaira Stone at 484-577-2756 or ystone@pahouse.net.
• Rep. Joe Hogan’s $camJam: Neshaminy Activity Center, 1842 Brownsville Road, Feasterville (Bucks County) on March 8 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This program is in partnership with AARP Pennsylvania. Register at www.rephogan.com/events. For additional information contact Jason McEwen at 215-752-6750 or jmcewen@pahousegop.com.
• Rep. Darisha Parker’s $camJam: Beloved Saint John Evangelistic Church, 4541 N. Broad St., Philadelphia (Philadelphia County) on March 13 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This program is in partnership with AARP Pennsylvania. For additional information and to register contact Kimberly Mann at 215-849-6426 or kmann@pahouse.net.
• Sen. Jimmy Dillon’s 2nd Annual Senior Expo: MaST Community Charter School III, 1 Crown Way, Philadelphia (Philadelphia County) on March 28 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. For additional information contact Jocelyn Masino at 215-281-2539 or Jocelyn.masino@pasenate.com.
• Rep. Ryan Mackenzie’s $camJam: Good Will Fire Company No. 1 of Trexlertown, 7723 Hamilton Blvd., Trexlertown (Lehigh County) on March 28 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This program is in partnership with AARP Pennsylvania. Register at https://www.repmackenzie.com/Form/ScamJam2024. For additional information contact Justine Bachman at 610-760-7082 or jbachman@pahousegop.com.

DoBS Investor Education and Consumer Outreach staff works with state and local government agencies, service providers, community and trade organizations, the General Assembly, the military community, schools, and other partners to help Pennsylvanians across the commonwealth become well-informed about the financial marketplace. 

Learn more about the free, non-commercial programs and presentations available, or contact us to request a program tailored to your specific needs. 

Visit the department's calendar of events to find an event near you. Consumers and community groups can call 1-800-PA-BANKS or email informed@pa.gov for more information.  

MEDIA CONTACT: Joan Nissley - DoBSComm@PA.gov

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