BBB and AARP Nebraska Offer Free Programs for Seniors in Lincoln and Omaha

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), “Financial scams targeting seniors have become so prevalent that they’re now considered ‘the crime of the 21st century’.” Yet, these cons often go unreported or can be difficult to prosecute, so they’re considered low-risk crimes. However, they’re devastating to many older adults and can leave them in very vulnerable positions with little time to recoup their losses. It’s not just wealthy seniors who are targeted. Low-income older adults are also at risk of financial abuse.

The BBB Foundation (www.bbb.org/nebraska) is partnering with AARP Nebraska to present “Hoodlums to Hackers – Keeping Seniors Safe from Fraud.” This program that includes lunch will be held on Tuesday, April 18th from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at Savannah Pines Retirement Community, 3900 Pine Lake Rd in Lincoln. It will be repeated in Omaha on April 18th at the Embassy Suites Omaha La Vista Conference Center, 12520 Westport Parkway from 6:30 – 8:00 pm and will be preceded by a light dinner at 6:00 pm.

The featured speaker is retired FBI Special Agent Jeff Lanza. He appears regularly as a fraud expert on CNBC’s “Closing Bell,” “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” Fox News, and MSNBC. The topics will include: protecting personal information from ID theft, how to avoid social engineering, spoofing and spam phone calls, preventing email hijacking, account takeovers and social networking fraud and how to be safe online.

These programs are free to seniors, their family members, caregivers and other interested persons who live in the area, but reservations are required. To RSVP, go to bbinc.org and click on the “BBB Senior Program” image or call (800) 649-6814 #8550. The deadline for reservations is Tuesday, April 11th.