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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Phyllis Mundy |
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HARRISBURG, Feb. 23 – State Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Luzerne, is encouraging area seniors to attend a free seminar the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Elder Abuse Task Force of Pennsylvania is hosting in March.
The seminar, "Protecting Yourself from Elder Financial Fraud: Don’t Become a Victim!" will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 8 (snow date: Wednesday, March 10) at Insalaco Hall, Misericordia University. Lunch will be provided following the morning seminar and light refreshments will be available at the evening session.
"More and more, scam artists are targeting the elderly for sensitive information to exploit and steal from them," Mundy said. "This seminar will be extremely informative, and I am encouraging area seniors, their families and caregivers to attend. Learn how to protect yourself and those you love from this form of elder abuse."
Mundy, who is a member of the task force and one of its founders, said seniors suffering from senility, dementia, or Alzheimer's Disease often are prey for scam artists due to their vulnerability. But often seniors and others who simply lack the sophistication to spot these scams fall prey, as well. She said the information most commonly stolen is Social Security, credit card and bank account numbers.
The seminar will feature guest speakers Ronald Costen, director of the Pennsylvania Institute on Protective Services at Temple University; Brenda Colbert of Marshall, Parker & Associates, which specializes in elder law and estate planning; and representatives from the Pennsylvania State Police and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.
Those who wish to register for either of the seminars, or who would like more information about financial exploitation, can call the call the Luzerne/Wyoming County Area Agencies on Aging at 570-822-1158. The deadline for registration is March 1.
Formed in 2008 under the leadership of Mundy and state Rep. Karen Boback, R Columbia/Luzerne/Wyoming, the task force is comprised of 33 members, including representatives from local district attorney's offices, law enforcement agencies and elder services providers, as well as elder abuse experts and state lawmakers. Its mission is three-fold: to facilitate and develop expertise in prosecuting elder abuse; to train professionals such as bank staff and medical personnel who are in constant contact with senior citizens to identify and report cases of potential fraud and abuse; and to educate the public about elder abuse and how to prevent and report it.
More information about the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Elder Abuse Task Force of Pennsylvania is available by visiting www.elderabusetaskforce.org.
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