CULLMAN, Ala.- A free financial and health care fraud prevention seminar, sponsored by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments (NARCOG), Investor Protection Trust and Alabama’s Senior Medicare Patrol, will take place tomorrow, Friday, March 13 from 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. at Northbrook Baptist Church in Cullman.
According to organizers, “This seminar will focus on sharing practical information and resources to help prevent financial and Medicare fraud. Information on preventing identity theft, including medical identity theft will be shared. Attendees will also learn preventive steps they can take to report suspected financial and other fraud targeting residents.”
The free seminar will include an expert panel made up of representatives from the different sponsoring agencies, as well as Cullman Country Sheriff Matt Gentry.
Free lunch will be provided, but organizers ask attendees to register for lunch by calling 256-355-5170 or visiting http://bbb.org/h/k036.
BBB Regional Vice President- Cullman, Lawrence, Limestone, Morgan and Winston Counties, Tricia Pruitt, said, “We’ll have representatives from government agencies, Alabama Securities Commission, State Senior Medical Referral, Sheriff Gentry and the Better Business Bureau will be on a panel.”
According to Pruitt, last year, 3.2 million reports of fraud and identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission resulted in more than $1.9 billion in losses.
She added, “It’s a big problem and something that we hope that by education we can help the residents of Cullman protect themselves so they aren’t on that list for 2020.”
She said the three top scams reported were: identity theft; imposter scams- which include IRS, social security, jury duty, romance, grandparent and employment scams; and telephone and mobile services scams.
Friday’s event will include presentations on identity theft and other scams followed by question and answer opportunities with the expert panel.
Pruitt said, “Education is the key to prevention. The Better Business Bureau and NARCOG work together a lot to bring these workshops to north Alabama.”
People of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. Lunch is provided by the Investor Protection Trust, the nonprofit arm of the Alabama Securities Commission.
Northbrook Baptist Church is located at 3691 Alabama Highway 157, Cullman, Alabama 35058.
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