AARP To Sponsor Free Workshop On Scams

PRAIRIE GROVE — A program to help protect senior adults from fraud, identity theft and scams will be held 2-4 p.m., Wed., Sept. 17, in the Prairie Grove District Courtroom on Douglas Street.

All senior adults in the area are encouraged to attend the meeting, as well as anyone else interested in the subject. The name of the program is “Winning the Fight Against Fraud in Washington County.” Registration starts at 1:30 p.m.

The free program is part of AARP’s Fraud Watch Network. Refreshments will be provided.

Speakers for the program will include Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder, Prairie Grove Police Chief Chris Workman, Capt. Jeff O’Brien, Farmington detective William Redfern, Lincoln Police Chief Russell Morphis and AARP Volunteer Warren Searls.

Local law enforcement will be talking about some of the frauds and scams that have involved people in this area. One local lady recently lost $3,000 in a scam. Officials also will show examples of common strategies used by scam artists.

Searls will discuss state and national problems.

Pat Parish, who is helping organize the program for AARP, said the information is important because senior scams are so prevalent today.

“This is for everyone but more for older people. I don’t know why we become so gullible,” Parish said.

The program will include information about registering with AARP Fraud Watch Network, which is available to anyone, not just AARP members. Those who register with the Network will receive notifications of scams going on in specific areas.

“Hopefully, we will bring more awareness to this. The aim is to bring enough awareness and education so that people will know how to protect themselves from scam artists,” Parish said.

For additional information, call Pat Parish at (501) 350- 6342 or Billie Yates, ( 479) 267- 2892 or ( 479) 790-3509.