Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities Announces October Consumer Financial Protection Events

Financial Education, Protection, and Outreach staff from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) will be participating in numerous free presentations for groups of seniors and the general public throughout the month of October helping them avoid scams, understand signs of fraud, and avoid identity theft. October outreach events, in partnership with the listed organizations, will be held in-person and are open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Fraud BINGO: A fun and interactive presentation that teaches consumers how to protect themselves from investment fraud by playing a familiar game – BINGO!

• Hosted by the MMS Group at the Angela Court Senior Apartments, 4400 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia (Philadelphia County) on Oct. 2 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Open to residents only. For additional information contact Sharnell Darby at 215-222-7000 or sdarby@mmsgroup.com.
• Klein Life Travel Club, 10100 Jamison Ave., Philadelphia (Philadelphia County) on Oct. 22 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Open to members only. For additional information contact George Dillman at gdillman@pa.gov.
• Saint Catherine Apartments, 5 Knox Road, Scranton (Lackawanna County) on Oct. 23 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Open to residents only. For additional information contact Kezia Hanley at 717-291-1911 or khanley@hdcweb.org.
• Exeter Apartments, 222 Schooley Ave., Exeter (Luzerne County) on Oct. 23 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Open to residents only. For additional information contact Kezia Hanley at 717-291-1911 or khanley@hdcweb.org.
• Hosted by New Courtland at the Philadelphia Senior Center – Allegheny, 6970 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia (Philadelphia County) on Oct. 28 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Barbara Jackson at 267-286-1455 or bwhitmore@philaseniorcenter.org.
• Hosted by the Area Agency on Aging at the Pittston Active Adult Center, 441 N. Main St., Pittston (Luzerne County) on Oct. 31 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Open to members only. For additional information contact Jackie Boltz at 570-655-5561 ext. 6642 or Jacquelyn.Boltz@LuzerneCounty.org.

Senior Expo: Senior Expos offer older adults and care providers resources and information that may allow them to live a more active lifestyle. Expos are free to the public and no registration is required. DoBS provides consumer protection, financial education, and investor education materials and publications free of charge.

• Concord Township Senior Citizen Expo: Hosted by the Concord Township Council at the Brandywine Youth Club Gymnasium, 41 Thornton Road, Glen Mills (Delaware County) on Oct. 9 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For additional information contact Christina Mahoney at 610-459-8911 ext. 105 or cmahoney@concordtownship.org.

$camJam: A fun and interactive event that brings together experts in law enforcement and state agencies to educate target audiences on how to protect their money from financial fraud and abuse. Between key sessions attendees get to play Fraud BINGO – they may even win a prize! This program is in partnership with AARP Pennsylvania.

• Hosted by the Tel Hai Retirement Community at the StoneCroft Center for Worship & Performing Arts at Tel Hai, 4000 Tree Line Drive, Honey Brook (Chester County) on Oct. 15 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. For additional information and to register contact Alicia Guthrie at 610-273-9333 ext. 2036 or aguthrie@telhai.org.

Spending Plans – A Road to Financial Success: This presentation focuses on the need for a spending plan so that people can achieve their financial goals. We discuss the differences between wants and needs; setting SMART goals; creating a spending plan; putting the plan into action; as well as periodically reviewing goals and spending plans to ensure that you can stay on track.

• Hosted by Blair Senior Services, Inc. at the Southern Blair Senior Center, 15229 Dunnings Highway, East Freedom (Blair County) on Oct. 17 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.

Cybersecurity – Staying Safe Online: Understanding how to keep your information safe and secure online is vitally important. 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.

• Hosted by the MJRSC – The Care Network – Area Agency on Aging at the McAlisterville Community Senior Center, 158 Lions Den Drive, McAlisterville (Juniata County) on Oct. 20 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. For additional information contact Carrie Noss at 717-463-3588 or mcalistervillectr@mymjrsc.com.

To learn more about our free, non-commercial financial education programs or request a customized presentation, visit the DoBS Events Calendar or contact the team at 1-800-PA-BANKS or via email at informed@pa.gov. You can visit us at pa.gov/dobs, subscribe to the department newsletter, or follow us on Facebook, X, or LinkedIn.

Pennsylvanians are also encouraged to call 1-866-PACOMPLAINT, visit pa.gov/consumer, or email consumer@pa.gov to report scams, resolve financial and insurance issues, and access help from the Commonwealth.