May-June2020 Issue

over 60 are comfortable using technology and existing within the digital world,” Whittington says. “There are specific digital and tech-based scams, and Skylar leads a course that can help these senior targets be prepared.” Crowley elaborates, saying they get firsthand reports from seniors about tech-support fraud. “This ranges from social media to digital display and banner ads,” Crowley adds. “They tend to be more susceptible while they’re using the internet because they aren’t as up to date on the current transactions and may be more likely to give payments to a shady website. They may also click on an ad that has some malware attached to the link or be targeted through email, which is a primary form of contact for seniors.” Participants in the “Empowering Savvy Seniors” program are instructed how to protect Social Security numbers, account information (like usernames and passwords) and addresses and phone numbers. They are familiarized with online safety, such as how to make sure a WiFi network is secure and which types of programs are safe to download. They also learn how to manage passwords, update operating systems and customize security preferences on social media sites. Examples are given to seniors to show what contact looks like, so that it will be easy to recognize. One common issue is a phone call or screen message from a person or company claiming they have detected a problem with the senior’s computer. There are countless examples of victims paying thousands of dollars to have the nonexistent problem corrected. The program demonstrates these scenarios, showing examples of onscreen messages consumers should look for. A central component of empowerment is giving seniors an action plan if their identity is stolen or they are otherwise preyed upon. The “Savvy Seniors” program shows them how to contact law enforcement and file and receive a copy of a police report. It also teaches people how to contact banks, credit card companies and credit reporting agencies, and how to file a report to the FTC. AAG’s participation and support is based on the company’s inherent values and culture. “One of the reasons this program hits home is because our loan officers are trained to look for signs of elder abuse and financial mishandling,” Whittington explains. “Giving back is a big part of our company values of caring and ethical service, so that’s something we’ve focused on. When an opportunity to be involved in this type of program comes up, it really is a natural fit for us.” Like the reverse mortgage process itself, Savvy Senior endeavors to include the subject’s surrounding support system. “I would say something that’s important is that we’re not just coaching seniors,” Crowley comments. “We’re coaching their loved ones and their caretakers on how to recognize when someone in the family may have been exploited, because oftentimes seniors don’t know that that is occurring. When those around them know what signs to look for, we can detect, prevent and catch fraud early.” She also stresses that they want the material BBB has developed to be widely available and perhaps even a model for others. She says the content is public information and that the more people who have it, the better. Another empowering aspect of the program is giving seniors the opportunity to network and share what has happened to them with others. “A lot of times it opens a conversation for the seniors to share their experiences,” Crowley says. “The program has created a platform for con- versation that informs the local communities with what’s happening in their neighborhood. It allows participants to feel comfortable knowing that other seniors are experi- encing similar situations and be confident whenever they engage in a transaction, or when they aren’t communicat- ing with someone, they know what steps to take and then they know that they have recourse.” AAG continued from page 25 The BBB serving the Pacific Southwest has been working with AAG to offer “Empowering Savvy Seniors” seminars. 26 REVERSE MORTGAGE / MAY-JUNE 2020