Wolf Administration Announces Consumer Financial Protection Outreach Schedule for November

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Education and outreach staff from the Department of Banking and Securities will be meeting with senior citizens, professionals, and the general public across Pennsylvania during the month of November to promote financial capability as part of Governor Tom Wolf's Consumer Financial Protection Initiative. 

For Senior Citizens

The presentation "Consumer Fraud Bingo" – an interactive presentation to help participants learn ways to protect themselves from investment fraud and other financial scams – will be offered at the following locations:

• Columbia Senior Center at 510 Walnut Street in Columbia (Lancaster County) on November 3 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
• Elizabethtown Area Senior Center at 70 S. Poplar Street in Elizabethtown (Lancaster County) on November 3 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Village of Neshaminy Falls Retirement Community at 195 Stump Road in North Wales (Montgomery County) on November 14 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM

The presentation "Banking Basics and Spending Plans" – including an overview of how banks and credit unions work, including the differences among types of accounts; questions to ask before opening an account; creating a spending plan to achieve financial goals; and discussing the differences between wants and needs – will be offered at Inglis Gardens at Belmont at 2564 Belmont Avenue in Philadelphia on November 21 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM. (Open to residents of the complex and their guests ONLY).

For General Audiences

Department staff will participate in a Family/Community Partnership event at Susquehanna Township High School at 3500 Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg (Dauphin County) on November 4 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

As part of an ongoing series with MontcoWorks and PA CareerLink in Montgomery County, department staff will present "Spending Plans – A Road Map to Financial Success" – which outlines the differences between wants and needs; setting "SMART" goals; creating a spending plan; and putting the plan into action –  at Norristown CareerLink at 1855 New Hope Street in Norristown (Montgomery County) on November 8 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. (Registration required for this free event. Space is limited. Call 610-278-2609 to register.)

Department staff will also present "Cybersecurity: Protecting Yourself Online" and "Consumer Fraud Bingo" at the Falls of Schuylkill Library at 3501 Midvale Avenue in Philadelphia on November 9 from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM.

"Money Matters" – a free noncommercial conference about elder financial abuse – will be held at The Center at Beaver Valley Mall at 284 Beaver Valley Mall in Monaca (Beaver County) on November 9 from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM. This event is free but registration is required: email [email protected] or call 412-897-9495.

Department staff will offer three presentations in one – "Banking Basics," "Creating a Spending Plan," and "Credit Reports and Scores" – at an event sponsored by Sen. Guy Reschenthaler and Rep. Rick Saccone. The combined presentation will outline the differences between wants and needs; setting "SMART" goals; provide an overview of how banks and credit unions work, including differences among types of accounts; and will discuss the importance of your credit score.  This event will be at Mt. Lebanon Library at 16 Castle Shannon Blvd. in Pittsburgh (Allegheny County) on November 28 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

For Professionals

Department staff will present "Elder Investment Fraud and Financial Exploitation Prevention Program" – an innovative, research-based program that trains medical doctors, lawyers, social workers, senior services providers, and other partners to recognize and report financial abuse targeting their clients, especially those suffering from mild cognitive impairment – at the following locations (Events are NOT open to the general public):

• EIFFE for Tax Preparers in Wilkes Barre (Luzerne County) on November 2
• EIFFE Legal in Grantville (Dauphin County) on November 3
• PA Institute of Certified Public Accountants Conference in Malvern (Chester County) on November 8
• Alzheimer's Association Conference in York (York County) on November 21

For Students

The presentation "Save & Invest PA!" – introducing students to basic investing oriented concepts, as well as financial fraud prevention – will be offered at Lebanon-Lancaster IU 13 at 1020 New Holland Avenue in Lancaster (Lancaster County) on November 1 for three sessions: 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:00 AM. (Event is NOT open to the public)

The Department of Banking and Securities offers educational presentations designed to help consumers of all ages learn to protect and grow their own money. The department's Calendar of Events can be found online: http://bit.ly/1KIscBZ. Consumers and community groups can call 1-800-PA-BANKS or email [email protected] for more information. To learn more about the Consumer Financial Protection Initiative, go to #GovWolfCFPI on Twitter. 

Media contact: Ed Novak, 717-783-4721

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities