In-person educational workshops to be hosted in partnership with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, Rhode Island State Police and AARP Rhode Island
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – (March 1, 2024) – In a continuing effort to improve the financial well-being of the families, businesses and communities it serves across Rhode Island, Navigant Credit Union is proud to launch a new series of in-person workshops that aim to educate individuals on how to identify and protect themselves against financial exploitation.
Hosted in partnership with the Office of the Rhode Island Attorney General, the Rhode Island State Police and AARP Rhode Island, the Senior Safeguard Seminar series will feature expert advice and analysis from experienced leaders working across the state. The series will cover various categories of common exploitative schemes such as “imposter scams,” fake sweepstakes or lotteries and phishing schemes, and offer attendees tips and advice to proactively protect their identities and hard-earned assets.
“It is a harsh reality that far too many hard-working Rhode Islanders fall victim to fraud and financial scams every year. With these in-person seminars, we are working to provide folks with the tools and knowledge they need to protect themselves, their families and their businesses,” said Navigant Credit Union President / CEO Kathy Orovitz. “We are looking forward to kicking this series off in March, and we thank our community partners from across the state for their support and expertise.”
Financial exploitation schemes are, unfortunately, extremely common in America – and, especially as technology continues to advance, the issue is reaching new heights. According to the Federal Trade Commission’s 2023 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book, more than 2.6 million instances of fraud were reported across the country last year, with victims experiencing roughly $10 billion in financial losses – more than a $1 billion year-over-year increase in reported losses compared to 2022. Likewise, with the FBI reporting instances of fraud reports specific to older adults increasing by 82.5% from 2021 to 2022, senior citizens are arguably most at risk.
Navigant Credit Union inaugural Senior Safeguard Seminar will be held on Thursday, March 14 at the Elks Lodge in Woonsocket, located at 380 Social Street. The event will feature a panel discussion moderated by WPRO-AM host Dan Yorke with input provided by Navigant Credit Union Senior Vice President & Director of Security Stephen Ormerod; Woonsocket Chief of Police Tom Oates, Det. Lt. Richard Ptaszek with the Rhode Island State Police Senior Crimes Unit, Mickaela Driscoll and Jillian Dubois with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Elder Abuse Unit, and AARP Rhode Island Associate State Director Matthew Netto.
This event will be free and open to the public. To RSVP for Thursday’s event, please call 401-233-3108, or email Amanda LaRose at [email protected].
###
