Kupuna fraud experts share tips to guard against scams
AARP Hawaii is holding a free webinar at 10 a.m. on Wednesday aimed at protecting kupuna from financial fraud and exploitation. Local and national experts on elder crimes will give tips and answer questions on how seniors can protect themselves and loved ones from scams against older Americans.
To participate, register at https://bit.ly/HIelderfraud or go to the AARP Hawaii Facebook page to watch a simulcast.
Speakers are Paul Greenwood, an AARP Fraud Watch Network expert and speaker on elder crimes; and former San Diego deputy district attorney who headed the Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit and Scott Spalina, a Honolulu deputy prosecutor who supervises Oahu’s Elder Abuse Justice Unit.
They will talk about how to reduce the risk of becoming a victim, identifying red flags that indicate possible financial exploitation and how to avoid falling victim to COVID-19 scams.
Older adults are more often targets of scammers because they generally have more money than younger people because of a lifetime of hard work and saving. Since 2013, financial institutions have reported more than 180,000 suspicious activities targeting older adults, involving losses of more than $6 billion.
Advance Health Care Directive workshop Thursday
Community First Hawaii’s Advance Health Care Directive workshops for West Hawaii continue via Zoom.
“COVID-19 has given us the opportunity to explore ways to reach folks in Kona, Waimea, Kohala, Ka‘u and Honokaa with our Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) workshops,” said Charlene Iboshi, chairperson of Community First Hawaii’s committee on Advance Health Care Directives. “We’ve converted our in-person workshops so that we are now able to present it using the Zoom App and we have volunteers who can assist participants on linking in.”
Zoom requires that users have a computer, iPad or smart phone.
“We’re hoping that adult children will help their parents and grandparents to participate because although everyone over 18 should have an AHCD, it is especially important for seniors who may not have access to the needed equipment.” Iboshi said.
This month’s AHCD workshop will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday. In order to accommodate working families, in September, the workshop will be offered on Sunday, Sept. 20, from 3 to 4 p.m.
To register, visit www.communityfirsthawaii.org/registration or call Amy Hamane at (808) 935-1500 or Rosemary Burnett at (808) 987-4405.
Rotary resumes Meet N Eat Tuesdays
Rotary Club of Kona will be resuming their Meet N Eat program on Tuesday evenings at Kealakehe. Boxed hot meals and food baskets will be distributed every Tuesday evening from 6-6:30 p.m. (or as supplies last) at Kealakehe Elementary School “drop off” parking lot.
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