Campaign for Wise and Safe Investing
"Scam artists aren't smarter than you. They're just more experienced." The Campaign for Wise and Safe Investing™ is a national educational and awareness campaign that strives to protect Americans against investment fraud. The national campaign was formed by the AARP Foundation and the Investor Protection Trust (IPT).
To bring the campaign to the state level, AARP Kentucky and the Kentucky Office of Financial Institutions partnered to apply for a grant from IPT and the AARP Foundation. This grant will fund several free, public events called “Senior Scam Jams” to inform citizens around Kentucky about how to protect against fraud.
The first Senior Scam Jam, held in Louisville on Sept. 12, 2007, attracted more than 130 seniors from the region who found the program to be helpful. “We’re all vulnerable – even when we think we’re not!” wrote one participant on the evaluation form. “What a wonderful workshop available to so many.”
Four Senior Scam Jams are planned for 2008. The events are free, but registration is required by calling 877-926-8300.
Northern Kentucky [PDF 980K]
Tuesday, March 18
Receptions South in Erlanger
Lexington [PDF 976K]
Wednesday, April 23
Fayette County Cooperative Extension Education Center
Murray [PDF 977K]
Wednesday, May 28
Curris Center at Murray State University
Bowling Green [PDF 980K]
Wednesday, June 18
Carroll Knicely Conference Center AARP research shows that baby boomers and older investors – because they have the money to invest – are natural targets for a wide range of unscrupulous practices. The investment might be an outright fraud, or it might be a completely legitimate product that is unsuitable for the investor's circumstances. The product may be sound, but the investor is subjected to aggressive marketing ploys that submerge the risk. Or the pitch is for guaranteed high returns.
Before investing, investors should check with their state securities regulator to verify if the investment opportunity is registered and if the seller is licensed. In Kentucky, visit the Web search of the Office of Financial Institutions (OFI) or call 800-223-2579.
The techniques scam artists use to sell inappropriate investments are typical of many types of fraudulent activities. That’s why Kentucky’s Campaign for Wise and Safe Investing has included partners such as the Attorney General’s Office, the Better Business Bureau and the United States Postal Inspection Service to help provide information on avoiding fraud and protecting yourself and your finances.
Please visit the Web sites of our partners:
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