Free Program to Help Metro Detroit Seniors Avoid Financial Fraud, Oct. 15

Helping Metro Detroit Seniors Avoid Financial Fraud: Free Program and Lunch Offered by Gesher Human Services and Huntington Bank on Tues. Oct. 15.

FBI announced 14 percent increase in elder fraud reports in 2023; average loss of around $34,000.

Gesher Human Services,

one of the largest human service agencies in metro Detroit, is joining forces with Huntington Bank on Tues. Oct. 15 to provide metro Detroit seniors with tools to avoid financial scammers. Huntington Safe Banking for Seniors Workshop will be held at Gesher Human Services (29699 Southfield Road, Southfield MI 48076) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and free refreshments, a free lunch and giveaways such as gift cards will be provided too.

According to the FBI, reports to its Internet Crime Complaints Center rose by 14 percent in 2023 from victims of elder fraud; associated losses increased by 11 percent. Scams targeting individuals aged 60 and older caused over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 with the average victim losing $33,915 due to these crimes, said the report. Registration for the free workshop is here, or by going to geshermi.org/events or by calling 248.233.4422.

“We know that older Americans can be more easily scared and persuaded to release money to criminals engaged in fraud,” said Gesher’s Financial Education Manager Laltsha Cunningham. “They also may be harder of hearing when they get a call and not understand as quickly that they are being scammed.”

Topics of the Huntington Safe Banking for Seniors Workshop will include:

Avoiding financial exploitation
Guarding against identity theft
Planning for unexpected life events
Preparing for financial disasters
Helpful resources for managing money and reporting financial exploitation
Understanding common scams
Importance of smart money decisions

Cunningham said it was vital that seniors didn’t release information to callers. For example, if someone got a request for a birth date that would be a red flag because a bank or credit card company would already know that information.

“Also, it is very important to verify the source of a call: if someone calls and says they are from a bank, credit card company, court, landlord, utility company or any institution, and asks for payment, put the phone down, find the correct phone number for that organization and then speak to a customer representative. The same goes for if someone says a family member needs money to be wired to them – contact your family member directly,” added Cunningham. “My biggest tip is that if someone calls and you don’t recognize the number, and it seems a bit odd that you would be getting the call, immediately put the phone down.”

Cunningham said

that one of her clients recently had a bogus call from someone posing as her bank, saying that they wanted to talk about her not making regular withdrawals. “Luckily she told me and I explained that a bank would never call someone to talk about their spending habits,” said Cunningham.

For more information on the workshop call 248.233.4422 or email lcunningham@geshermi.org. Gesher Human Services also provides one-on-one financial counseling to the community which can be scheduled by calling 248.233.4299 or email financialhelp@geshermi.org.

About Gesher Human Services

Gesher Human Services is a non-profit organization providing a bridge to hope and opportunity for people at work, at home and in the community. It is dedicated to helping people across metro Detroit lead more stable and fulfilling lives through workforce development, career mobility, behavioral health, inclusion programming and residential services that serve all metro Detroiters while meeting the needs of the Jewish community.

The organization works with job seekers, people with disabilities, older adults, and the community at large to provide skills, support, and equitable opportunities for people to succeed. Uniting two of metro Detroit’s most influential Jewish human services agencies, JVS Human Services and Kadima, Gesher brings over 110 years of combined experience facilitating equitable employment opportunities and better mental health outcomes for residents.

With a network of more than 400 employees and volunteers across 25 locations in southeast Michigan, Gesher delivers a continuum of services and support that directly impacts the lives of over 26,000 individuals and families annually. More information at www.geshermi.org.