Education and outreach staff from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) will be hosting and participating in numerous presentations for groups of senior citizens, service providers and the public throughout the month of July to promote financial capability and provide investor education.
July outreach events, in partnership with the listed organizations, will be held in person and are open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Events For General Audiences
Cybersecurity – Keeping Yourself Safe Online: This presentation will cover topics such as using secure websites, avoiding internet-based investment scams, creating strong passwords, and being aware of what you put on social media. It will be held at the Cleve J. Fredricksen Library at 100 N. 19th Street in Camp Hill (Cumberland County) on July 13 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. For information contact Amanda Scharrer at ascharrer@cumberlandcountylibraries.org.
Retirement Planning 101 for Small Business: This program will highlight savings, investing and retirement programs geared toward small business owners. It will be offered virtually at SCORE Bucks County on July 18 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. To register visit: https://www.score.org/buckscounty/event/retirement-planning-101-small-businesses-0.
Spending Plans – A Roadmap to Financial Success: This session, which will focus on the need for a spending plan so that people can achieve their financial goals, will be held at Metowers at 1001 New Brighton Road in Pittsburgh (Allegheny County) on July 19 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. For information contact Ashley Kimball, Service Coordinator, at ashley@umcuhousing.org.
$CAMJAM:Â A conference bringing together experts in finance and consumer protection to discuss a variety of hot topics including ID Theft, Scams and Fraud, and protecting yourself. There will be breaks for Fraud Bingo, with prizes for lucky winners, and refreshments provided that will be offered in partnership with AARP Pennsylvania at Shadowbrook Inn and Resort at 201 Resort Lane in Tunkhannock (Wyoming County) on July 27 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For additional information or to register contact Mary Schell at 570-822-1154 ext. 2229 or mary.schell@luzernecounty.org.
Events For Senior Citizens
Fraud Bingo: A fun and interactive game that teaches consumers how to protect themselves from investment fraud by playing BINGO. These in-person events will be held at the following locations:
- Coopersburg Senior Center at 538 Thomas Street in Coopersburg (Lehigh County) on July 6 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. For additional information contact Nan Beitel-Vessels at 610-282-2330.
- Jewish Family Service at 1100 Berkshire Boulevard, Suite 135 in Wyomissing (Berks County) on July 6 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. For additional information contact Carole Robinson, Director of Social Services, at CaroleR@JFReading.org or 610-921-0624.
- Phoebe Apartments at 1901 Linden Street in Allentown (Lehigh County) on July 12 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. For additional information contact Cristal Polanco, Service Coordinator, at cpolanco@phoebe.org or 610-794-6265.
- Pennswood Village at 1382 Newtown-Langhorne Road in Newtown (Bucks County) on July 26 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. For additional information contact Amy Keiper-Shaw, Resident Life Director, at 215-504-1148.
Popular Scams and How to Avoid Them:Â A discussion on how to avoid falling victim to the newest and most advanced scams will be held at the following locations:
- Philadelphia Senior Center at 1900 W Allegheny Avenue in Philadelphia (Philadelphia County) on July 11 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. For additional information contact Barbara Whitmore, Director, at bwhitmore@philaseniorcenter.org
- Golden Connections Community Senior Center at 20 Gotham Place in Red Lion (York County) on July 13 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. For additional information contact Kasie Ream, Director of Social Services, at 717-244-7229.
Avoiding ID Theft will be held at:
- Easton Senior Citizen Housing at 127 S 4th Street in Easton (Lehigh County) on July 12 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For additional information contact Patricia Howlin, Social Service Coordinator, at 610-829-1709.
- Virtual – Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL) at 713 North 13th Street in Allentown (Lehigh County) on July 28 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. For additional information contact Catherine Bogdanski at catherinebogdanski@lvcil.org.
Spending Plans – Senior Edition: A session focusing on the need for a spending plan so that people can achieve their financial goals will be held at Berks Encore-Strausstown at 44 East Avenue in Strausstown (Berks County) on July 14 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. For additional information contact Andrea Gebely, Director of Center Operations, Berks Encore Strausstown, at 610-488-5770.
Events for Legislators, Organizations and Service Providers
The Importance of Financial Education for the Disability and Incarcerated Populations: An overview of the Agency’s work with persons with disabilities, as well as incarcerated individuals, and information about available resources – will be presented at Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren at 301 Gale Street in Mechanicsburg (Cumberland County) on July 2 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. For additional information contact Kristy Richmond at carichmond3@comcast.net.
Working with DoBS: An informative overview of the agency, businesses it regulates, how individuals can work with outreach staff, as well as the agency’s consumer services team will be presented at PACareerlink at 1046 Manheim Pike in Lancaster (Lancaster County) on July 17 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. For additional information and to register, contact Nicole Deeley, Workforce Connector, at 717-509-5613 ext. 600.
Fraud Bingo will be held at:
- American Legion Post 516 at 104 Dell Delight, Legion Park in Hollidaysburg (Blair County) on July 20 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Open to Volunteer Program Members.
- West Hanover Senior Center at 628 Walnut Avenue in Harrisburg (Dauphin County) on July 20 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM in partnership with the Office of State Representative Joe Kerwin. For information contact the Office of State Rep. Kerwin at 833-431-0495.
Outreach staff will be available at the following legislative expos and conferences:
- Pennsylvania Sheriff’s Association 100th Anniversary Summer Conference at Penn Stater (Centre County) on July 12.
- Rep. Patty Kim’s Summer Fun and Family Resource Fair at Reservoir Park (Dauphin County) on July 15 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
- Rep. Tina Pickett’s Senior Expo at Lynch Bustin Elementary School in Athens (Bradford County) on July 21 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
- Rep. Mike Armanini’s Senior Expo at Elk County Catholic High School (Elk County) on July 25 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
- Abington Pre-Night Out 2023 at 1495 Old York Road in Abington (Montgomery County) on July 31 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.Â
DoBS Investor Education and Consumer Outreach staff works with state and local government agencies, service providers, community and trade organizations, the General Assembly, the military community, schools, and other partners to help Pennsylvanians across the commonwealth become well-informed about the financial marketplace.
Learn more about the free, non-commercial programs and presentations available, or contact the agency to request a program tailored to your specific needs.
Visit the department’s calendar of events to find an event near you.
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