Senior fair State Rep. Matt Smith will host Senior Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, October 4, at The Galleria. More than 100 exhibitors will provide information on services, products and local organizations geared toward older adults, including applications for the property tax/rent rebate program and the state’s prescription programs. Light refreshments, entertainment, health screenings and educational demonstrations round out the day. Individuals 65 and older interested in receiving a seasonal flu vaccination should bring their Medicare or supplemental insurance card. Information at 412-571-2169 and www.pahouse.com/MSmith [1].
SENIOR SCAM SEMINARS According to www.usboomers.com [2], senior citizens represent 12 percent of the U.S. population, but are 35 percent of all fraud victims. Some reasons behind that statistic are that seniors usually have assets (which the scammer wants) and tend to be helpful and trustful (which the scammer takes advantage of). In other cases, the senior may have lost a degree of physical or mental acuity and can be easily tricked or confused—especially on the Internet or by a “friend” they think they are helping.
The best way to be protected is to be educated. Mt. Lebanon Police Officer Scott Kunz has developed a program that he and his partner, Cpl. James Hughes, are taking to senior centers and presenting to other community groups. The program is free and will cover credit card fraud, telemarketing scams, online phishing scams, foreign lottos and those pesky little emails from Nigeria. If you would like to schedule a presentation for any group or organization, call 412-343-4068.