Senior Scam Workshop Addresses Growing Problem Next Week

Seniors are invited to get the latest information on a host of topics from guardianships to contractor fraud and scams during a half-day senior scam seminar scheduled for January 26th.

"This is a good way to start off the New Year," said Ocean County Freeholder Joe Vicari. "This conference will provide our seniors and their caregivers with the most updated information, educating them on how not to be a victim of a scam artist."

Vicari noted that scam artists tend to target senior citizens. "We want to make sure our seniors are well informed and make the right decisions," Vicari said. "Simply, if something seems to good to be true, it probably is."

The seminar, "Ocean County Senior Scam Task Force: Information Sharing and Beyond," will be held at the Ocean County Southern Service Center at 179 South Main Street, at Routes 9 and 72, here, and will kickoff at 9 a.m. and run until 1 p.m.

The event features a number of experts including Ocean County Surrogate Jeffrey W. Moran, who will discuss guardianships; Steven Scaturro, Director of the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs, who will address contractor fraud and scams; Jane Maloney, Director of the Ocean County Office of Senior Services, who will talk about services and resources that are available to seniors; Stafford Township Det. Chris Fritz will provide an overview of Stafford Township Community Awareness; Sgt. Cynthia E. Boyd of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office will talk about scams targeting seniors in Ocean County; Laurie Flynn, Vice President-Wealth Management and Financial Planning Specialist for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, will address the issue of how to investigate a financial advisor and practices to be wary of, and Leslie Terjesen, public information officer for the Ocean County Health Department will address health awareness for seniors.

Other speakers include Freeholder Vicari, Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford, Stafford Township Mayor John Spodofora and Councilman Henry Mancini.

Sponsors of the program are the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Stafford Township Mayor and Council, the Stafford Township Police Department and Henry J. Mancini and Associates.

Morning refreshments and a light lunch will be served.