May 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 May to promote financial capability and provide investor education. 

May 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 

Elder Abuse Investment Fraud Prevention Training to Professionals & Resource Expo: A great way for attendees to learn about resources, programs, and other information available to them from community, state, and sometimes federal agencies.

• PHFA Housing Forum Conference, Harrisburg Hilton, One N. 2nd St., Harrisburg (Dauphin County) on May 1 from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Open to registered conference attendees only. For additional information contact Chris Anderson at 717-780-3915 or canderson@phfa.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.

• Cleve J. Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill (Cumberland County) on May 2 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. For additional information contact Amanda Scharrer at 717-761-3900 or ascharrer@cumberlandcountylibraries.org.
  

Muncy Prison Correction Officers Expo: A great way to learn about resources, programs, and other information available to them from community, state, and sometimes federal agencies. This expo is in recognition of Correction Officers Week and will be open to Correction Officers at the Muncy State Prison only. 

• Muncy State Prison, 6454 Route 405, Muncy (Lycoming County) on May 9 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For additional information contact Donnelle Shoemaker at 570-546-3171 or donshoemak@pa.gov.
  

EVENTS FOR OLDER ADULTS 

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!

• FGP/SCP, Susquehanna County Library, 458 High School Road, Montrose (Susquehanna County) on May 7 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Sherri Gross at 570-265-6121 or sgross@bsstaaa.org.
• Towanda Senior Center, 131 Colonial Drive, Towanda (Bradford County) on May 8 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Deena Mize at 570-746-2333 or towandasc@bsstaaa.org.
• FGP/SCP, Bradford County Emergency Center, 29 Van Kuren Drive, Towanda (Bradford County) on May 8 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Sherri Gross at 570-265-6121 or sgross@bsstaaa.org.
• FGP/SCP, Wellsboro Active Living Center, 3 Queen St., Wellsboro (Tioga County) on May 9 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Sherri Gross at 570-265-6121 or sgross@bsstaaa.org.
• Pottsville Community Senior Center, 201 North Centre St., Pottsville (Schuylkill County) on May 13 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Debbie Herb at 570-624-3016 or HerbD@diakon.org.
• Tremont Senior Community Center, 139 Clay St., Tremont (Schuylkill County) on May 13 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Debbie Herb at 570-624-3016 or HerbD@diakon.org.
• Schuylkill Haven Community Senior Center, 340 Haven St., Schuylkill Haven (Schuylkill County) on May 14 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Debbie Herb at 570-624-3016 or HerbD@diakon.org.
• Mahanoy City Community Senior Center, 138 West Centre St., Mahanoy City (Schuylkill County) on May 16 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. For additional information contact Debbie Herb at 570-624-3016 or HerbD@diakon.org.
  

Spending Plans – Senior Edition: This presentation focuses on the need for a spending plan so that people can achieve their financial goals. We discuss the differences between wants and needs; setting SMART goals; creating a spending plan; putting the plan into action; as well as periodically reviewing goals and spending plans in order to ensure that you can stay on track. 

• Berks Encore – Reading, 40 North 9th St., Reading (Berks County) on May 10 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Blanch Espada at 610-374-3195 or applaudinglife@berksencore.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.

• Southern Blair Senior Center, 15229 Dunnings Highway, East Freedom (Blair County) on May 17 from 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Karen Kelley at 814-317-5181 or KKelley@blairsenior.org.
  

Avoiding ID Theft – This presentation takes a look 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.

• Philadelphia Senior Center - Allegheny Branch, 1900 W. Allegheny Ave., Philadelphia (Philadelphia County) on May 21 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Barbara Whitmore at 267-286-1455 or bwhitmore@philaseniorcenter.org.
  

Indiana County Senior Summit: Senior expos offer older adults and care providers resources and information that may allow them to live a more active lifestyle. Expos are free to the public and no registration is required. Most offer refreshments, free health screenings, and contacts with many vendors who offer resources and materials.

• YMCA of Indiana County, 60 N. Ben Franklin Road, Indiana (Indiana County) on May 29 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Hosted by the Indiana County Elder Abuse Task Force. For additional information contact Meghan Foulk at 724-465-3837 or mfoulk@indianacountypa.gov.

LEGISLATIVE EXPOS AND EVENTS 

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

• Rep. Tom Mehaffie’s Health Expo: Leader Center for Active Life, 605 Cocoa Ave., Hershey (Dauphin County) on May 2 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For additional information contact Angie Hoffer at 717-534-1323 or ahoffer@pahousegop.com.
• Rep. John Schlegel’s Fraud Bingo: Rural Security Fire Company, 1301 N. 7th St., Lebanon (Lebanon County) on May 2 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. For additional information contact Jamie Miller at 717-838-3823 or jmiller@pahousegop.com.
• Sen. Jimmy Dillon’s ScamJam: American Heritage Credit Union, 2068 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia (Philadelphia County) on May 3 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For additional information contact Lloyd Morgan at 215-696-1020 or Lloyd.morgan@pasenate.com.
• Sen. Christine Tartaglione’s Senior Soiree: Lighthouse Field, 101-199 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia (Philadelphia County) on May 4 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. For additional information contact Wilbur Childs at 215-533-0440 or Wilbur.childs@pasenate.com.
• Rep. Mary Jo Daley’s Senior Fair: Kaiserman JCC Coniston Fitness Center, 45 Haverford Road, Wynnewood (Montgomery County) on May 9 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For additional information contact Tom Harnet at 610-832-1679 or tharnett@pahouse.net.
• Rep. Stephenie Scialabba's Family First Initiative – Expo: Steamfitters Event Center, 230 Wise Road, Harmony (Butler County) on May 16 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. For additional information contact Julia DeSantes at 724-772-3110 or jdesante@pahousegop.com.
• Sen. Maria Collett’s Senior Expo: Montgomery Township Community & Recreation Center, 1030 Horsham Road, Montgomeryville (Montgomery County) on May 17 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For additional information contact Bailey Landis at 215-688-0493 or bailey.landis@pasenate.com.
• Rep. Paul Takac’s Senior Scam Seminar: Centre Care, 250 Persia Road, Bellefonte (Centre County) on May 23 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. For additional information contact Mary Elliott at 814-308-0569 or melliott@pahouse.net.
• Sen. Lindsey Williams Senior Social: Pittsburgh Mills Mall – Entry 5, Spot 928, 590 Pittsburgh Mills Circle, Tarentum (Allegheny County) on May 23 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. For additional information contact Megan Winter at 412-364-0469 or Megan.winter@pasenate.com.
• Rep. Joe Emrick’s $camJam: Nazareth Area High School, 501 E Center St., Nazareth (Northhampton County) on May 29 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. For additional information contact Kirsten Esposito at 610-746-5090 or kesposito@pahousegop.com.
• Rep. Alec Ryncavage’s $camJam: American Legion Post 781, 1550 Henry Drive, Mountain Top (Luzerne County) on May 30 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. For additional information contact Sam Galski at 570-403-2371 or sgalski@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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