Older people urged to attend & learn about financial fraud scams
With National Fraud Awareness Week (23rd – 29th September 2019) just around the corner and people becoming increasingly alert to the threat of bank fraud, identity theft and online scams, the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) will be bringing its new FraudSMART Clinic to Cork City for the first time later this month.
FraudSMART is an initiative that aims to raise awareness of the latest financial fraud activity and trends, and how consumers and businesses can act to protect themselves.
As part of Fraud Awareness Week 2019, this year’s initiative includes a series of FraudSMART Clinics which will tour towns and cities to examine the reality of financial fraud scams on the ground in each locality, particularly among older people in our society.
Encouraging people to join in for an informative morning of discussion, FAQ, tea, coffee and chat among fellow senior citizens on the issue, the event is free to attend and walk-ins are welcome, but reserving a spot is recommended and easy to do by emailing RSVP@fraudsmart.ie.
The FraudSMART Clinic arrives in Cork on 26th September at the River Lee Hotel on Western Road and kicks off at 11am sharp.
Supported by Active Retirement Ireland, the event aims to provide members of the public, especially older citizens, with a forum in which to learn about current trends in financial fraud scams, including the warning signs, the safeguards to put in place and who to contact in the event of a fraud attempt.
Each FraudSMART Clinic will include a mixture of presentations, discussion, Q&A and advice featuring representatives from FraudSMART and Active Retirement Ireland, as well as An Garda Síochána represented by Detective Garda James O’Meara, Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and An Post given the prominent role the service plays in the financial lives of older citizens.
FraudSMART is an initiative that aims to raise awareness of the latest financial fraud activity and trends, and how consumers and businesses can act to protect themselves.
As part of Fraud Awareness Week 2019, this year’s initiative includes a series of FraudSMART Clinics which will tour towns and cities to examine the reality of financial fraud scams on the ground in each locality, particularly among older people in our society.
More details about FraudSMART can be found at www.fraudSMART.ie
Niamh Davenport, who leads the BPFI FraudSMART programme, said: “I’m delighted to say we’ve expanded the FraudSMART programme this year to bring our national awareness campaign to towns and cities around the country.
“We’re really looking forward to a great event in Cork, with plenty of issues to discuss, and tips and advice to take away from the morning. We all know someone who has been a victim of fraud, even through no fault of their own.
“The first step to protecting yourself and those you care about is to get informed, and we hope that our FraudSMART Clinic will give people a chance to do just that.”
Kay Murphy, President of Active Retirement Ireland said: “As advocates for retired people in towns and communities across Ireland, this is an excellent opportunity for older citizens to meet face to face with the experts who are working in the area of fraud prevention and crime and learn first-hand about the realities of such scams on the ground.
“I’d encourage everyone in the Active Retirement Ireland network in Cork and the surrounding areas to spread the word, attend and take part.”
