April Consumer Financial Protection Events Announced

HARRISBURG – 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 April to promote financial capability and provide investor education. April is Financial Literacy Month and Governor Josh Shapiro has issued a proclamation recognizing its importance in the Commonwealth.

“Financial Literacy Month is a great time for consumers to assess their financial well-being and take control of their financial future,” said DoBS Secretary Wendy Spicher. “We always look for opportunities to collaborate with other agencies and non-profit entities to inform and help Pennsylvanians seek out trusted, non-commercial resources to grow their financial knowledge not just during this month, but year-round.”

April 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 Frauds and Scams for Small Business: This session examines how personal and business 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.

• MidAtlantic Score on April 4 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. This is a VIRTUAL event. For additional information contact Stevie Young at Stevie.young@scorevolunteer.org.

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.

• Cleve J. Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill (Cumberland County) on April 4 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. For additional information contact Amanda Scharrer at 717-761-3900 or ascharrer@cumberlandcountylibraries.org.
• Blain Senior Citizen and Community Center, 7 Blain Road, Blain (Perry County) on April 10 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This event is open to the general public. For additional information, and to reserve a seat, contact Alex Foley at 717-536-3630 or centerblain@gmail.com.

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.

• Tioga County Fair Grounds, 2258 Charleston Road, Wellsboro (Tioga County) on April 4 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For additional information contact Susan Hitchcock at 570-265-6121 or shitchcock@bsstaaa.org.
• St. Francis Assisi Hall, 100 St. Francis Drive, Mildred (Sullivan County) on April 5 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. For additional information contact Susan Hitchcock at 570-265-6121 or shitchcock@bsstaaa.org.
• Labor & Industry – Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, 1130 12th Ave., Suite 300, Altoona (Blair County) on April 18 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. This is a VIRTUAL event. Open to employees only. For additional information contact Stephani Smithbower at 814-949-7950 or ssmithbowe@pa.gov.

Save and Invest PA! Students learn to pursue financial goals through this introduction to the basics of saving and investing. The presentation also briefly discusses how students can avoid financial scams. Students do not need to be studying financial topics and do not need previous experience with these topics.

• FBLA Annual Conference, Hershey Lodge, 325 University Drive, Hershey (Dauphin County) on April 8-10 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Open to registered conference attendees only. For additional information contact Janet Skiles at 412-576-2826 or jskiles@pafbla.us.

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.

• Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania, 30 N. Third St., Harrisburg (Dauphin County) on April 11 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. This is a VIRTUAL event. Open to employees only. For additional information contact Kimberly McCoy at 717-564-9200 or Kmccoy@haponline.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!

• Lion’s Den, 158 Lion’s Den Drive, McAlisterville (Juniata County) on April 12 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. For additional information, and to reserve a seat, contact Daniel Auker at 570-837-0052 or Dauker@pahousegop.com.

Veteran $camJam: A conference bringing experts in finance and consumer protection to present to veterans and their families. We will focus on investment fraud and scam prevention. Presentations from multiple agencies will be featured and we will have fun and interactive game of Investment Fraud BINGO.

• Montco Recorder of Deeds, Montgomery County Human Services Center, 1430 Dekalb Pike, Norristown (Montgomery County) on April 19 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. For additional information contact Leann Pettit at 610-278-3292 or leann.pettit@montgomerycountypa.gov.

EVENTS FOR OLDER ADULTS

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.

• New Horizons Senior Center, 100 Conway Ave., 2nd Floor, Narberth (Montgomery County) on April 3 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. This is a VIRTUAL event. Open to members only. For additional information contact Judy Ringold at 610-664-2366 or judy.nhsc@gmail.com.

Preventing Elder Financial Fraud – It Takes a Village: Elder Financial Abuse has skyrocketed to be the number one issue reported and verified to Adult Protective Services staff – and that’s only the tip of the iceberg, as so much abuse goes unreported. As executive directors and/or administrators, protecting your residents from con artists looking to steal their life savings is a top priority when it comes to promoting independence and maintaining the resident’s financial freedom. This session will outline the latest scams, provide resources on when and where to report and offer free training for staff and customized educational sessions for residents.

• PA Assisted Living Association Conference, Penn Stater, 215 Innovation Blvd., State College (Centre County) on April 3 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Open to registered conference attendees only. For additional information contact Janet Neidig at 717-695-9734 or janet@pala.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!

• Berks Encore Strausstown 44 East Ave., Strausstown (Berks County) on April 9 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Andrea Gebely at 610-488-5770 or agebely@berksencore.org.
• Endless Mountains PARSE Chapter 2-10, Riverstone Inn and Restaurant, 47 Leisure Drive, Towanda (Bradford County) on April 16 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Open to members only. For additional information contact George Dillman at 717-705-2687 or gdillman@pa.gov.
• Heritage Senior Center, 3700-4 Davidsburg Road, Dover (York County) on April 17 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Denise Burkins at 717-292-7471 or center.heritage@yahoo.com.
• Evans City Senior Center – Ritzert Hall, 426 E. Main St., Evans City (Butler County) on April 23 from 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Brittany Buzzelli at 724-487-5104 or BBuzzell@co.butler.pa.us.
• Concordia Haven Apartments – Haven 3, 112 Marwood Road, Cabot (Butler County) on April 23 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Open to residents only. For additional information contact Jeannine Zaccone at 724-352-1571 or jzaccone@concordialm.org.
• Beaver Falls Plaza, 1008 7th Ave., Beaver Falls (Beaver County) on April 24 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Open to residents only. For additional information contact Elizabeth Mischka at 724-846-4617 or emischka@aspencos.com.

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.

• Fairdale Active Living Center, 6219 Ridge Road, Montrose (Susquehanna County) on April 19 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This is a VIRTUAL event. Open to members only. For additional information contact Pamela DeRose at 570-278-3751 or pderose@bsstaaa.org.

LEGISLATIVE EXPOS AND EVENTS

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

• Rep. Kristin Marcell’s Senior Expo: Spring Mill Manor, 171 Jacksonville Road,
• Ivyland (Bucks County) on April 5 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. For additional information contact Pat Caimano at 215-364-3414 or pcaimano@pahousegop.com.
• Rep. Joseph Ciresi & Limerick Township Senior Expo: Spring-Ford’s 9th Grade Center, 400 S. Lewis Road, Royersford (Montgomery County) on April 10 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For additional information contact Ashley Kukucka at 410-495-6432 or Ashley@limerickpa.org.
• Sen. John Kane & Rep. Carol Kazeem’s Senior Expo: Upper Chichester Township Municipal Complex, 8500 Furey Road, Upper Chichester (Delaware County) on April 11 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. For additional information contact Judy Kuchinski at 610-490-8902 or Judith.kuchinski@pasenate.com.
• Rep. Christina Sappey’s Senior Expo: Unionville High School, 750 Unionville Road, Kennett Square (Chester County) on April 13 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For additional information contact Lynne Kent at 484-200-8264 or LKent@pahouse.net.
• Rep. Zach Mako’s $camJam: Young at Heart Senior Group – Assumption VBM Church, 2181 Washington Ave., Northampton (Northampton County) on April 18 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. For additional information contact Jodi Nestor at 610-760-9805 or jnestor@pahousegop.com.
• Sen. Tracy Pennycuick’s Save and Invest PA! for Students: 56 West 4th St., Floor 2, Red Hill (Montgomery County) on April 24 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. For additional information contact Lidia DiFiore at 215-541-2388 or ldifiore@pasen.gov.
• Rep. Joe Webster’s Senior Expo: Greater Philly Expo Center, 100 Station Ave., Hall D, Oaks (Montgomery County) on April 25 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. For additional information contact Susan Devenny at 484-200-8263 or sdevenny@pahouse.net.
• Sen. Maria Collett’s $camJam: Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery Co. (SAAC), 45 Forest Ave., Ambler (Montgomery County) on April 26 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For additional information contact Bailey Landis at 215-688-0493 or Bailey.landis@pasenate.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