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 February to promote financial capability and provide investor education.
February 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
Reverse Mortgages – What Can You Expect?: Topics will include: what is a reverse mortgage, what I need to qualify, what the procedures are for obtaining and retaining a reverse mortgage, financial requirements to obtain, alternative options to consider (such as a home equity line of credit) what to avoid, drawbacks, your obligations and how you can repay the debt. The overall consideration – is it right for me?
- Cleve J. Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill (Cumberland County) on Feb. 8 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. For additional information contact Amanda Scharrer at 717-761-3900 or ascharrer@cumberlandcountylibraries.org.
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.
- Blain Senior Citizen and Community Center, 7 Blain Road, Blain (Perry County) on Feb. 28 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Event is open to the public. For additional information contact Tonya Worthington at 717-536-3630 or centerblain@gmail.com.
EVENTS FOR OLDER ADULTS
Popular Scams and How to Avoid Them: Everyday 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.
- Branch Creek Place, Menno Haven, Inc., 115 North Fayette St., Shippensburg (Cumberland County) on Feb. 7 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Diana Nazario at 717-300-3563 or Diana.Nazario@mennohaven.org.
- Pennswood Village, Penn Hall, 1382 Newtown-Langhorne Road, Newtown (Bucks County) on Feb. 27 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Amy Keiper-Shaw at 215-504-1148 or Keiper-Shaw@pennswood.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.
- Berks Encore Strausstown, 44 East Ave., Strausstown (Berks County) on Feb. 14 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.
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!
- The Peak (Senior) Center, 606 E. Main St., Suite 1003, Lansdale (Montgomery County) on Feb. 5 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Alyssa Barnes at 215-362-7432 ext. 204 or abarnes@ghnpss.org.
- Southern Blair Senior Center, 15229 Dunnings Highway, East Freedom (Blair County) on Feb. 16 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.
- Penns Creek Senior Center, 3551 Richard Road, Penns Creek (Snyder County) on Feb. 21 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Chris Erb at 570-837-6200 or cerb@usaaa17.org.
LEGISLATIVE EXPOS AND EVENTS
Outreach staff will also be available at the following legislative events:
- Rep. Marla Brown's $camJam: Challenges – Options in Aging, 2706 Mercer Road, New Castle (Lawrence County) on Feb. 2 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This program is in partnership with AARP Pennsylvania. For additional information and to register contact Jaclyn Thompson at 724-498-4397 or jthompson@pahousegop.com.
- Rep. Sheryl Delozier’s $camJam: Lower Allen Township Building, 2233 Gettysburg Road, Camp Hill (Cumberland County) on Feb. 7 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This program is in partnership with AARP Pennsylvania. For additional information contact Andrew Dudziak at 717-761-4665 or adudziak@pahousegop.com. Registration required at www.RepDelozier.com/Events.
- Rep. Michael Sturla's $camJam: Calvary Homes – Fellowship Hall, 502 Elizabeth Drive, Lancaster (Lancaster County) on Feb. 15 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This program is in partnership with AARP Pennsylvania. Registration is highly recommended via email at rep.mikesturla@pahouse.net or call 717-295-3157. Registration will close on Feb. 9.
- Rep. Tina Pickett’s Fraud BINGO: Sons and Daughters of Italy, 301 Desmond St., Sayre (Bradford County) on Feb. 23 from 10:00 AM to 11:00AM. For additional information contact Jennifer Horton at 570-888-9011 or jhorton@pahousegop.com.
- Rep. Tina Pickett's Fraud BINGO: Wysox Volunteer Fire Company, 111 Lake Road, Wysox (Bradford County) on Feb. 23 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. For additional information contact Jennifer Horton at 570-888-9011 or jhorton@pahousegop.com.
- Rep. Jamie Barton’s $camJam: Kutztown University Georgian Room of Old Main, 15200 Kutztown Road, Kutztown (Berks County) on Feb. 29 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This program is in partnership with AARP Pennsylvania. For additional information contact Lauren Miller at 570-688-1240 or lamiller@pahousegop.com. Registration required at www.RepBarton.com/events.
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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