The town’s Commission on Aging, Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association and Fairfield County Bank are sponsoring a program, ‘Keeping Your Money Safe,’ on Tuesday, May 21, at the Redding Community Center. From left are Rosalind Kopfstein, Commission on Aging chair, Eloise Barron of the RVNA and Don McGran Jr., security adviser at Fairfield County Bank. —Bryan Haeffele photo
Attempts to scam people of all ages, but especially senior citizens, out of their money by trying to get personal information over the phone or via the Internet — or even in person — is not uncommon. That’s why an upcoming program at the Redding Community Center is aimed at “Keeping Your Money Safe.”
Don McGran Jr., security adviser for Fairfield County Bank, calls people trying to take advantage of others in this way “Academy Award-winning scam artists.” He wants to alert the public to their tricks so these scammers can be stopped.
“Every day a senior is hit from a different angle and is bombarded by so many different scams — by phone, the Internet, mail, and in person,” said Mr. McGran.
The goal of the “Keeping Your Money Safe” program on Tuesday, May 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. is to inform people about these scams so they won’t become victims. The featured speakers will talk about topics like mail, phone and computer scams, financial abuse, bank fraud, and much more. The program is a result of a similar program in Ridgefield sponsored by the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association (RVNA). The program in Redding is being sponsored by the RVNA, the Commission on Aging and Fairfield County Bank.
Besides Mr. McGran, speakers include Probate Judge Joe Egan, whose district includes Redding, Bethel, Ridgefield, and Newtown, and Redding police Sgt. Chris McManus.
Ms. Kopfstein called the information that will be discussed “essential” and said each speaker will bring a different perspective.
Mr. McGran, a Ridgefield police officer for 30 years before joining the bank, said that as a police officer, he saw only the criminal cases. “Now I see all of the scams,” he said. Many people, especially the elderly, he said, are embarrassed to report being scammed to the police, but he encourages residents to report all scams.
During his presentation, which he has given all over Fairfield County, Ms. McGran said he talks about the most common scams hitting the town in which he is speaking that are happening at that time. He also talks about identity thefts in each town “at that time, and what can be done to stop them.”
He’ll provide tips on how to avoid scams, such as preventing a PIN (personal identification number) from being scammed from an ATM. Use one hand to cover the number pad while typing in the pin, he said. In this way, a hidden camera won’t be able to detect the pin.
He also said there is a safe way to write a check, and that’s to use black gel ink, an ink that can’t be washed away so a new name and amount can be used on the check. And don’t put a check to be mailed in your mailbox with the flag up, he said.
“I believe information is king,” said Mr. McGran, explaining that if people recognize scams because of his discussion, “that would be great.”
Among other things he will recommend is changing pins and passwords often and “never, never” giving out personal information on the phone, Internet or in a letter. If there is any doubt about the caller, hang up the phone, he said, adding that people should call back their own number for a bank, for instance, and not use the number the caller is giving.
“Seniors are more trusting in general. It’s their nature,” said Ms. Kopfstein, a social worker. She deals with people whom others are trying to scam.
Eloise Barron, who oversees the RVNA Quality Living at Home program for Redding, encourages adult children and parents to attend the program. She related how a senior told her about getting a call from a priest in Minnesota who needed help with a heating bill.
“I asked him why a priest in Minnesota would ask for money in our area,” she said, adding that it helps if adult children are aware of things like this. She also said seniors could call her at her Quality Living at Home number, 203-938-3300, ext. 1005, for information or help.
At the program, Judge Egan will talk about conservatorships and financial abuse, Ms. Barron said.
There are cases when someone is inappropriately using funds for the elderly to benefit themselves instead of taking care of the elderly person, said Ms. Kopfstein.
“Taking financial advantage of vulnerable elderly people are not just criminals, but sometimes families, friends and caregivers,” said Mr. McGran.
“That’s why you go with trusted people like our RVNA,” said Ms. Barron.
At the Ridgefield program, said Ms. Barron, one of the things Judge Egan talked about is deeding a house, changes in conservatorships and other legal issues.
She pointed to planning ahead as to who should have a durable power of attorney, so that if there is an issue like Alzheimer’s, the person designated with the power of attorney can step in immediately.
During his presentation, Sgt. McManus will talk about online scams and identity theft, said Ms. Kopfstein. He will recommend ways to avoid these scams.
Students Against Senior Scamming, started by Ridgefield students Caroline Murray and Dana Cohen, will have a display of fraudulent envelopes they have collected at the May 21 program.
The students’ envelope collection “is quite impressive. I think it will generate a lot of discussion,” said Ms. Barron in an email.
Her Quality Living at Home program is aimed at increasing connections with seniors in the community, she said. Her program offers a resource for seniors to help them stay in their homes.
The May 21 program is about more than just keeping your money safe. “It has more depth than just scams but also more depth from the standpoint of bringing in banking, the police and the judicial side, and Quality Living at Home,” Ms. Barron said.
“The program provides support and advice to the community,” said Ms. Kopfstein. And it connects people to resources, added Ms. Barron.
Besides the speakers, there will be handouts at the program, including a list of resources, such as phone numbers for Protective Services for the Elderly and the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging and Connecticut Legal Services.
The program is free and open to all ages. Since space is limited, online registration is recommended at info@ridgefieldvna.org, or call the Quality Living at Home program at 203-938-3300. Questions may be emailed ahead of time.