Conquering Financial Abuse in Metro Detroit Seniors; Free Workshop Feb. 28

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Conquering Financial Abuse in Seniors: Free Workshop on the Latest Scams Facing Elderly Metro Detroiters on Feb. 28.

 Gesher Human Services, one of the largest human service agencies in metro Detroit, is offering an in-person workshop at its headquarters in Southfield (29699 Southfield Road) to provide seniors with information on the latest financial scams they could face including those from AI, such as cloned voices. Participants will also learn how to recognize if they are the victim of financial fraud from family members or other caregivers and what they can do to protect themselves. The program, open to seniors and family members, will be on Fri. Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center  reported in 2023 that while individuals under the age of 20 were least impacted by scams and fraud (only 18,000 reported victims), for those 60 years old and older there were more than 101,000 reported victims. A 2024 report on financial elder abuse by Thomson Reuters said that older people were most likely to be targeted because they have more disposable income, are less knowledgeable about technology and are more likely to be seeking companionship or connection online. If they are the victim of financial crime, they may want to keep the information private. Registration for the free workshop is here or by going to geshermi.org/events or by calling 248.233.4422.

Gesher’s Financial Education Manager Laltsha Cunningham,

said that the need for financial education for seniors on the subject was growing every year as financial scams increasingly target this vulnerable population. “Now we have AI technology used to impersonate the voices of seniors – someone calls them and records their voice and then uses that recording to create a cloned voice to talk with financial institutions like banks,” she explained. “Or AI technology might record the voice of an older person’s loved one and then use that to solicit money, saying there is an emergency situation, and that money is needed immediately.”

She said it was vital for seniors to review their bank and credit card statements every month to ensure that there was no fraudulent activity and if that anything looked unusual to contact authorities. “These scammers are so tech savvy we have to ensure that our seniors are informed of the risks out there,” said Cunningham.

Sadly, there are also dangers closer to home.

“We will also be covering misappropriation of finances from caregivers and family members. Seniors might be put under undue influence to withdraw money to give to people, or it could be that their bank account is being used to pay someone’s bills which they are not aware of,” explained Cunningham. “There are also times when family members have taken out a credit card in their name, so making sure you are aware of your credit score and whether your finances look to be in order are all very important.”

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.