PADBS: June Consumer Outreach Schedule Announced

Harrisburg, PA – Education and outreach staff from the Department of Banking and Securities will be meeting with senior citizens, professionals, and the public across Pennsylvania during the month of June to promote financial capability as part of Governor Tom Wolf’s Consumer Financial Protection Initiative.

For Senior Citizens

Department staff will offer “Creating a Spending Plan” – which outlines the differences between wants and needs; setting “SMART” goals; creating a spending plan; and putting the plan into action – at Temple Apartments, 5 Heisz Street in Edwardsville (Luzerne County) on June 1 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

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 Ambler SAAC at 45 Forest Avenue in Ambler (Montgomery County) on June 11 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Non-members wishing to eat lunch must pre-register by June 8 and are requested to provide a donation of $2.00. Please contact (215) 619-8863.

Department staff will participate in Rep. Mary Jo Daley’s Senior Legislative Expo at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School, Cafeteria, 201 E. Germantown Pike in Plymouth Meeting (Montgomery County) on June 22 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

For General Audiences

The presentation “Avoiding Scams and ID Theft” – which helps consumers protect themselves from financial scams as well as informs victims of scams on how to get help – will be offered at Memorial Homes at 1609 Memorial Avenue in Williamsport (Lycoming County) on June 1 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. (Open to residents ONLY)

Staff will also offer “Avoiding Scams and ID Theft,” along with “Cybersecurity – Staying Safe Online” at the following locations:

• Free Library of New Hope and Solebury at 93 W. Ferry St. in New Hope (Bucks County) on June 14 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM.
• Free Library of Northampton Township at 25 Upper Holland Road in Richboro (Bucks County) on June 14 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

The presentation “Investment Fraud Bingo” – an interactive presentation to help participants learn ways to protect themselves from investment frauds – will be offered at PA CareerLink Bucks County at 1260 Veterans Highway in Bristol (Bucks County) on June 6 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

PA Link to Aging and Disability Resources will sponsor an event featuring three programs: “Avoiding Scams and ID Theft,” “Cybersecurity – Staying Safe Online,” and interactive “Consumer Fraud Bingo.” The event is open to all ages. The event will be held at Westmoreland Manor at 2480 S. Grande Blvd. in Greensburg (Westmoreland County) on June 7 from 9:00 AM to 12:00PM. Contact Melinda McCoy at palinkcoordinator5@gmail.com or 724-237-1242 to register by June 1st for this free, fun event.

The presentation “Cybersecurity – Staying Safe Online” will be offered at Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library at 680 Radcliffe Street in Bristol (Bucks County) on June 15 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

The STaRT (Start Today and Retire Tomorrow) program – which focuses on retirement planning, setting goals, and how to achieve those goals – will be offered at The Arc of Dauphin County, Harsco Center at 2569 Walnut Street in Harrisburg (Dauphin County) on June 20 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

For Professionals

The STaRT (Start Today and Retire Tomorrow) program will be offered to professional groups at the following locations and are NOT open to the public:

• DHS Selinsgrove Center in Selinsgrove (Snyder County) on June 14. (Open to Center staff ONLY)
• InterMetro Industries Corporation, Training Site at 90 Gardner Avenue in Wilkes-Barre (Luzerne County) on June 21 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. (Open to InterMetro Industries employees ONLY)
• DHS Polk Center in Polk (Venango County) on June 28. (Open to Center staff only)
• DHS Ebensburg Center in Ebensburg (Cambria County) on June 29. (Open to Center staff only).

Department staff will be available during the PHFA Multifamily Affordable Housing Conference (formerly known as the Housing Services Conference) at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Pocono Manor (Monroe County). They will be in the Marketplace of Vendors on June 27 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. and will present “Helping Your Clients Avoid Scams and ID Theft” on June 28. (Open to conference attendees ONLY)

The department’s Financial Services for Consumers and Business staff works with state and local government agencies, service providers, community and trade organizations, the General Assembly, the military community, schools, and other partners to help Pennsylvanians across the commonwealth become well-informed about the financial marketplace. There are a variety of free, non-commercial programs [PDF] and presentations [PDF] available, or a program can be tailored to a specific group’s needs.