HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania’s Department of Banking and Securities will host a series of free March events statewide aimed at helping seniors, veterans, and other residents spot scams, reduce identity theft risk, and know where to report suspected financial fraud.
What This Means for You
- Free public sessions will cover investment fraud, identity theft, cybersecurity, and common scams.
- Several events are limited to members or residents of specific facilities, so eligibility rules vary by location.
- Residents can report suspected scams through the state’s consumer complaint hotline and online portal.
Investor Education and Consumer Outreach staff with the Department of Banking and Securities said the outreach schedule is designed to provide practical guidance on recognizing warning signs of fraud, protecting personal information, and accessing help.
March Sessions Focused on Fraud Prevention
The department’s March calendar includes “Fraud BINGO,” an interactive presentation focused on recognizing and avoiding investment fraud, along with sessions on identity theft, online safety, and popular scam tactics.
Fraud BINGO events are scheduled in multiple counties, including Clinton County on Sunday, March 2; Columbia County on Monday, March 10; Bucks County on Tuesday, March 11; Delaware County on Wednesday, March 12; Luzerne County on Wednesday, March 18; and Schuylkill County on Monday, March 23. Some of those events are limited to residents or members, according to the department.
Other sessions include “Avoiding Identity Theft,” with events scheduled in Mifflin County on Monday, March 3, and Blair County on Friday, March 27, both listed as open to members only. A cybersecurity session on staying safe online is scheduled in Montgomery County on Thursday, March 5, and Columbia County on Monday, March 16, also listed as open to members only.
A separate “Avoiding Scams and Identity Theft” session is scheduled in Lebanon County on Monday, March 31. A “Popular Scams and How to Avoid Them” presentation is also scheduled in Philadelphia County on Monday, March 31, listed as open to residents only.
Veterans and Legislative Events
For veterans, the department said it will participate as an information vendor at the Pennsylvania Women Veterans Conference on Friday, March 27, in Butler County. The department said preregistration is required.
The schedule also includes a series of legislatively hosted events described as $camJams and senior expos in Berks, Lehigh, Bucks, Butler, Snyder, and Philadelphia counties throughout March. Those events are listed with specific dates, times, and host offices.
Where to Get Help and Report Scams
The department directed residents seeking more information on its education programs to the DoBS events calendar and said customized presentations can be requested through its outreach staff. The department listed 1-800-PA-BANKS and informed@pa.gov for program inquiries.
Pennsylvanians can report scams or seek help resolving financial and insurance issues by calling 1-866-PACOMPLAINT, visiting pa.gov/consumer, or emailing consumer@pa.gov, the department said.
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