Anti-fraud Workshop Is Today

Slick con artists need not approach area residents – after they attend a free workshop in Waipahu today (March 13) on “Outsmarting Investment Fraud.”

Set from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Filipino Community Center, the program will provide tips on detecting the tactics that often tempt people to give their money to a pro with a good story.

“Many of Hawaii’s older residents are vulnerable to financial fraud involving coercion, intimidation and outright deceit,” said AARP Hawaii state president Gerry Silva. “But we can learn to protect ourselves by recognizing the most-common persuasive tactics con artists use.”

Pitches can include the promise of great wealth, claim of reputable credentials, everybody’s buying it, great price today only, and move quickly on the limited supply. The workshop also presents four tips to keep your money safe from scammers: Check for warning signs, check registration of products, check the fit for your level of risk, and check out the salesperson’s background.

Co-sponsoring the workshop with AARP are Better Business Bureau Hawaii, Hawaii Office of the Securities Commissioner, Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Recent Federal Trade Commission data revealed that 6,000 fraud complaints were reported in Hawaii last year.

To register for the workshop and for more information, call 1-877-926-8300. The FilCom Center is located at 94-428 Mokuola St.