(Left) Police Chief John Defore and (Right) Mike Riley Speak at the Forum

(KNZA)--“Protecting Yourself Against Financial Harm” was the topic of a forum held in Hiawatha Wednesday.

The forum sponsored by Kansas Advocates for Better Care took place at the Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging Community Room.

A panel of four addressed a group of citizens and professionals on the growing risks of older adults being targeted for financial abuse and exploitation.  The panel consisted of Hiawatha Police Chief John Defore, Mike Riley with the Morrill and Janes Bank, Pam Keller with Adult Protective Services in Topeka and Evie Curtis, Senior Vice President of Country Club Bank in Kansas City, who served as facilitator.

As baby boomers age and continue to be the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population so too has targeting seniors for financial abuse and exploitation. 90% of exploitations are known by the older adult and it’s often a family member or caregiver. Cases of fraud come from pro’s who target the elderly by soliciting via mail, emails or telephone.

The panel’s goal was to educate how to spot exploitation or fraud, know when to intervene and when to report.

Curtis said banks can often be the first line of defense in spotting financial exploitation and are invaluable to police and social service investigations. “It is in the best interest of banks across the country to take an active role in training their employees to spot and report elder financial abuse, it sends a positive message to seniors in the community that our bank is safe and is looking out for your best interests” said Curtis.

Rainbow Communications taped the discussion and it will be aired in the future on their Rainbow NE Kansas Channel.