National Hotline To Fight Swidlers Who Target Seniors

WASHINGTON, D.C.
November 1, 2011

A new national hotline for seniors and adult children of the elderly will be available on November 10th to deal with one of America’s biggest fraud problems: the estimated one out of every five citizens over the age of 65 who have been victimized by a financial swindle. Of particular concern are seniors with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who can perform most daily functions, but have trouble or become confused when it comes to managing their finances.

In collaboration with the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA), the Financial Planning Association (FPA), and Baylor College of Medicine, the Investor Protection Trust (IPT) and Investor Protection Institute (IPI) will make available three separate call-in lines – covering general finance, medical, and financial abuse questions — from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, November 10, 2011. (See call-in details below.) Kiplinger’s Personal Finance is also a partner in the November 10th hotline project.

In 2008, IPT funded the Texas-based pilot by the Huffington Center on Aging at Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Consortium Geriatric Education Center of what would become the national Elder Investment Fraud and Financial Exploitation (EIFFE) Prevention Program. Since then, IPT has secured the participation of state securities offices in a total of 27 states and jurisdictions working with doctors and adult protective services professionals to spot and combat swindles targeting the elderly. (See full list of participating states and jurisdictions below.)

There will be three separate call-in lines available to the American public on November 10, 2011. The toll-free hotlines will address questions and offer free advice in the following key areas:

• General Finance Questions 888-227-1776. Callers are encouraged to dial into this number to speak with an expert from the Financial Planning Association about their family financial security. Callers will get answers to general financial questions, help identifying financial professionals that put your interests first and learn how to protect themselves and their loved ones from financial fraud. FPA professionals can also help initiate a conversation about money with adult children of older parents in order to help prevent elder investment fraud and financial exploitation.

• Medical Questions 888-303-0430. Callers to this number can get advice from health care professionals about medical issues such as mild cognitive impairment that can impact an older person’s ability to make wise and safe financial decisions and can increase their vulnerability to elder financial abuse and exploitation. The health care professionals can help callers recognize the warning signs of vulnerability to financial abuse in themselves or loved ones and suggest referral routes for further medical screening.

• Financial Abuse Questions 888-303-3297. Callers to this number will speak with an adult protective services (APS) professional about elder financial abuse and strategies for keeping themselves or older loved ones independent. Callers can get information on how to recognize the most common ways that older adults are financially exploited and methods for preventing elder financial abuse. APS professionals will also help callers take the proper steps if they suspect that a loved one is currently being financially abused or exploited.

BACKGROUND ABOUT THE PROJECT
With a grant from the Investor Protection Trust in 2008, the Huffington Center on Aging at Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Consortium Geriatric Education Center developed a program called the Elder Investment Fraud and Financial Exploitation Prevention Program. In 2009, the TCGEC and its affiliates in nine locations in Texas conducted a series of 10 pilot continuing medical education programs (CME) programs throughout the state. Based on the results of this pilot project, the IPT secured the participation of state securities offices in a total of now 27 states and jurisdictions to form a coalition to prevent elder investment fraud and financial exploitation.

The 27 participating states and other jurisdictions are: Alabama; California; Colorado; Connecticut; Delaware; District of Columbia; Georgia; Idaho; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kentucky; Maine; Michigan; Minnesota; Nebraska; North Carolina; New Jersey; New Mexico; Oklahoma; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Puerto Rico; Tennessee; Utah; Vermont; and Washington. The goal of this new IPT-formed alignment of organizations is to work with state securities regulators to coordinate CME offerings for health professionals to increase their clinical awareness of the issue addressed by the EIFFE Prevention Program and provide them with a proven screening tool and with effective referral routes.

Learn more about how state securities regulators, health care professionals and adult protective services professionals are collaborating to protect seniors from financial abuse through the Elder Investment Fraud and Financial Exploitation (EIFFE) Prevention Program at:www.investorprotection.org. The website includes national polling data, information on the EIFFE Prevention Program, a video on elder investment fraud, recent IPT research, the Clinician’s Pocket Guide and Patient Brochure created for the program and the special report “The Crime of the 21st Century: Protect Yourself and Loved Ones from Financial Abuse of the Elderly.”

ABOUT THE GROUPS
The Investor Protection Trust is a nonprofit organization devoted to investor education. The primary mission of IPT is to provide independent, objective information needed by consumers to make informed investment decisions. Founded in 1993 as part of a multi-state settlement to resolve charges of misconduct, IPT serves as an independent source of unbiased and non-commercial
investor education materials. IPT operates programs under its own auspices and uses grants to underwrite important investor education and protection initiatives carried out by other organizations. The IPT provides investor education at both the state and national levels.

The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) is the largest membership organization for personal financial planning experts in the U.S. and includes professionals from all backgrounds and business models. FPA members adhere to the highest standards of professional competence, ethical conduct and clear, complete disclosure to those they serve. Based in Denver, Colo., FPA works in alliance with academic leaders, legislative and regulatory bodies, financial services firms and consumer interest organizations.

The National Adult Protective Services Association is a national non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization with members in all fifty states, including the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. It was formed in 1989 to provide state Adult Protective Services (APS) program administrators and staff, who are the first responders to abused elders and younger adults with disabilities, with a forum for sharing information, solving problems and improving the quality of services for these vulnerable victims.

More information on the initiative can be found at IPT’s website. Read the complete news release here.

Goodwill Hosts Fall Job Fair

Goodwill Industries will be hosting a job fair on Wednesday, November 2nd from 10am to 2pm at the Greensboro Community Resource Center located at 1235 S Eugene St in Greensboro.

Job seekers can network with the following companies now hiring:

Goodwill Industries
City of Greensboro
Concessions Galore
Select Staffing
Luihn Food (KentuckyFried Chicken & Taco Bell)
Avon Products, Inc.
Time Warner
U.S. Army
Sonic Drive-In
Temporary Resources
AT&T Mobility
Piedmont Natural Gas
EJ’s Staffing
The Rush
The Home Depot
UPS
Staffmark
Bayada

A recruiter for Goodwill Industries will also be on-site to answer questions about various Retail positions
available through the company. Applicants can apply online at TriadGoodwill.org
Registration required on-site

Parking will be available on-site at Goodwill Industries and directly across the street at Shiloh Baptist Church. Job seekers are encouraged to dress for an interview and bring multiple copies of their current resume. For resume assistance, visit the Greensboro Community Resource Center at 1235 S. Eugene Street. Call 336-275-9801 for additional information.

Senior Get 3.6% Raise

Seniors who receive social security benefits will soon get their first cost of living increase 2009. While the increase is not as significant as the 5.8% increase they received in 2009, it is higher than the 2008 increase of 2.3%

Read more about the increase at CNNMonday.

Medicare Annual Election Period is Oct. 15- Dec. 7

RALEIGH— Your health needs change from year to year, and the benefits and costs of your health plan may change each year, too. That’s why it’s important to evaluate your Medicare choices. The Annual Election Period is the one time of year when all people with Medicare can see what new benefits Medicare has to offer and make changes to their coverage.

There’s never been a better time to check out Medicare coverage. There are new benefits available for all people with Medicare, whether you choose Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, including lower prescription costs, wellness visits and preventive care. Take advantage of the Annual Election Period, and you may be able to save money, improve your coverage, or both.

What is the benefit of having an earlier enrollment period?
Starting this year, the Annual Election Period starts earlier—on Oct.15—and lasts longer—seven full weeks—to give you enough time to review and make changes to your coverage. Also, starting this year, you will need to make your final selection for next year’s Medicare coverage by Dec. 7. This change is to ensure that Medicare has enough time to process your choice so your coverage can begin without interruption on Jan.1.

It’s worth it to take the time to review and compare, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you typically use the December holidays to discuss health care options with family or friends, this year, start the conversation now. And remember that representatives from Medicare and SHIIP, the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, are available to help.

• Visit www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan to compare your current coverage with all of the options that are available in your area, and enroll in a new plan if you decide to make a change.
• Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24-hours a day, seven days a week, to find out more about your coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
• Review the Medicare & You 2012 handbook. It is mailed to people with Medicare in September.
• Get one-on-one help from SHIIP, the Guilford County Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, by calling 336-373-4816 x 234 Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Senior Resources of Guilford to hold Money Management Workshop

Greensboro- For many vulnerable older adults, the path to economic security begins with basic money management. Learning how to budget, avoid scams, and apply for benefits can help you stay independent longer. With support from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, the National Council on Aging has developed a Savvy Saving Seniors program to educate older adults about good money skills. Senior Resources of Guilford will be offering this free workshop to adults of Guilford County age 55+ on Friday, November 11th at 2:00 p.m. in the Greensboro Senior Center located in the Dorothy Bardolph Human Services Building- 301 E. Washington Street, Greensboro, NC 27401. Participants must be Guilford County residents age 55+. Individuals must register by November 7, 2011 in order to participate. Participation is limited to 15 participants.

For more information or to register for the program, email Tiffany Mumford at Senior Resources of Guilford or call her at (336) 373-4816. Senior Resources of Guilford is a United Way community partner.

Help Wanted: True Elder Statesmen

Economic times are hard and our leaders seem to be running out of ideas to fix it. Maybe they should turn to the wisdom of our seniors to look for answers in how to right our country. In 2009, the St Petersburg Times published this article where they asked people how they would fix the economy. Among the answers was this idea from senior David Otterson in Largo:

There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force … pay them $1 million a piece severance with stipulations. They leave their jobs. Forty million job openings — unemployment fixed. They buy new American cars. Forty million cars ordered — auto industry fixed. They either buy a house or pay off their mortgage — housing crisis fixed.

Is this a good idea? Would you retire early under those conditions? If you are a senior, tell us what you would do to fix the economy and steer the country back in the right direction.

Let’s Talk

In conjunction with Forever Young Home Care and Senior Resources of Guilford, Abbotswood at Irving Park invites you to a morning seminar on care transitioning and resources for aging adults and their families.

A Conversation About Aging with Grace

Saturday, September 10, 2011 • 8:30am-12 noon

Abbotswood at Irving Park
3504 Flint St.
Greensboro, NC 27405

This event is free. Registration is limited. Food will be provided.

RSVP by Friday, September 9

To register or for more information call 336-282-8870.

Join a panel of senior industry experts including Amy Rosen, Sales Director of Abbotswood at Irving Park; Jennifer Parker of Forever Young Home Care; Tod Davis of Carolina Relocation and Transition Specialists; Catherine Charguia of Prudential; Wylie Southern, VP of Investments at UBS and Amanda May of Senior Resources of Guilford.

Home Repair Fraudsters Back In Action

Below is an alert that was issued last Monday by Attorney General Roy Cooper. The home repair fraud ring in question was based in communities just east and north of Raleigh, but it operated throughout the state and as far north as Maryland. According to various law enforcement members of the Senior Fraud Task Force, several members of that home repair fraud ring have not mended their ways despite having to spend time in prison for their earlier misdeeds. They are also teaching younger individuals how to run the scams.

Many of these fraud artists’ recent scams can be found on pages 11 and 12 of the Senior Frauds booklet. Recent losses reportedly range from $20,000 to over $100,000 per elderly home owner.

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Members of a home repair fraud ring broken up by law enforcement in the 1990’s are out of jail and appear to be back to their old tricks. The group was very active throughout North Carolina, scamming hundreds of elderly homeowners out of as much as $50,000 to $100,000 each for unnecessary repairs, before local, state, and federal law enforcement stopped them.

Unfortunately, our office has heard of two Raleigh homeowners who lost several thousand dollars to these fraudsters in recent weeks. Local authorities are investigating those incidents, and we’d like to prevent other consumers from becoming victims.

Telltale signs that a homeowner is being scammed by these criminals include:

· Unmarked trucks frequently parked out front

· Contractors who suddenly leave when a visitor comes over

· Several screw-jacks mounted under the first floor of the home

· Wooden 2” by 4” braces mounted between the attic floor and roof supports

· New shingles on a roof that wasn’t showing any signs of damage, and

· Thousands of dollars in checks made out to individual crew members.

If you or someone you know may be a victim of this home repair fraud ring, report it to local law enforcement and building code officials immediately. To file a complaint, call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM toll-free within NC or visit www.ncdoj.gov.

Free Security Freeze On Your Credit Report

Placing a security freeze on your credit reports can block an identity thief from opening a new account or getting credit in your name. North Carolina residents can now set up and manage security freezes online, free of charge.

LEARN HOW

Credit bureaus can usually comply with your online request for a security freeze within 24 hours of receiving it.

You can also get a security freeze by mail or phone.

For NC Senior Crime Pays For Health Care

Some Seniors need medical care but can’t afford the costs of the emergency room.

Earlier this month, a 59-year-old convenience store clerk, walked into a Gaston, N.C., bank and handed the cashier a note demanding $1 and medical attention. Then he waited calmly for police to show up.

The teller was so frightened that she had to be taken to the hospital to be checked out. The Senior, meanwhile, was taken to jail, just as he’d planned.

He has an appointment with a doctor this week.

Read more about James Richard Verone and the lengths he went to in order to receive medical attention. Meanwhile, tell us how you are handling your medical expenses and what YOU would do to get the care you need.