Delta Bank teaches seniors how to avoid being scammed

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — 

Delta Bank visited the Vicksburg Senior Center on Tuesday, October 17 to talk to the dozen or so senior citizens on how to avoid being scammed.

Rose Hodges, Mike Curtis and Patrick Landers with Delta Bank gave an hour-long presentation that touched on all aspects of modern scams that target seniors.

The meeting was designed to:

• Recognize and reduce the risk of elder financial exploitation
• Guard against identity theft
• Plan for unexpected loss of the ability to manage your finances
• Prepare financially for disasters
• Find other helpful resources on managing money and reporting financial exploitation

One main point brought forth was that anyone can be the victim of financial exploitation. It crosses all social, educational and economic boundaries.

Patrick Landers with Delta Bank talks to the seniors. Photo by David Day

Scammers target seniors because they have regular income and accumulated assets. In general, the older generation is trusting and polite and sometimes socially isolated. They may also be vulnerable due to grief from a loss. Even more, they may be reluctant to report that they were scammed if the scammer was someone they count on such as a caregiver because they count on that person to help them remain independent.

If you would like more information on this and the protections offered by Delta Bank in Vicksburg, you can call them at 601-630-8201.