USA: Conference To Focus on Safety of Seniors

TROY, ALABAMA (THE MESSENGER), June 14, 2005: A regional conference designed to help "Keep Seniors Safe" from scams and frauds will be held here on June 20. The Conference is sponsored by Alabama Attorney General Troy King, the Alabama Department of Senior Services and the South Central Alabama Development Commission Area Agency on Aging. "All area seniors, senior advocates and local authorities are invited to attend," said Georgia Jenkins, program coordinator for the Alabama Cares and Alzheimer's programs. "The conference is designed to identify ways that seniors can protect themselves from scams and fraud and to help access the legal tools available to assist elderly victims." About 125 seniors have pre-registered for the conference and many others are expected to attend. "There is a lot of interest among our senior citizens because they are often the target of scams and fraud," Jenkins said. "The reason these scam artists prey on seniors is because they are often living on fixed incomes and many times can't meet their needs for medicine, utilities and other necessities. When someone starts talking to them about how their monies can be increased, even doubled - they can be taken in by it." Jenkins said scams and fraud involving seniors are a problem all across the country. "Many of our seniors are being taken for a ride," she said. "The 'Keep Seniors Safe' conference will make seniors and their children aware of this growing problem and give them information that will keep them from being taken in by these people who prey on our senior citizens." Topics included in the conference will be: * How to identify and respond to telephone or financial scams * How to avoid identify theft * How to avoid common consumer frauds targeting the elderly * Protecting yourself from financial investment fraud * Where to get help when you suspect an elder is being financially exploited or physically abused * Scams that are operating locally - how to identify them, how to avoid them and where to get help if you are a victim. * What to do if a family member is being financially exploited by a loved one. An outstanding lineup of presenters includes Stephanie Billingslea, assistant attorney general, Florence Mitchell, director Pike County Department of Human Resources, Alice Maples, assistant attorney general, Sheriff Russell Thomas, Pike County Sheriff's Department, J. Randall McNeill, acting deputy director, Alabama Securities Commission and other local law enforcement officers. Attorney General Troy King and Commissioner Irene Collins will also speak to the seniors. "We want to encourage all seniors to join us for this very interesting and informative conference," Jenkins said. "We also invite all senior advocates and local authorities to attend." By Jaine Treadwell