def #6 01/19/10
SEMINAR ON SENIOR SCAMS PLANNED FOR FEB. 17
TOMS RIVER – Several Ocean County government agencies will join with representatives from the banking community,
the U.S. Postal Service and the state Attorney General’s Office in presenting a seminar for seniors.
“Seniors: Protect Yourself and Avoid Being Scammed” will be held at the Ocean County Library, Washington Street,
here, starting at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 17. Registration is required and can be made by calling Irene Mueller of Morgan Stanley
Smith Barney at 732-914-2346.
“Our goal is to provide vital information and contacts to the residents of Ocean County, more specifically, the
senior population, their caretakers and/or anyone associated with providing services to seniors,” said Freeholder Joseph
H. Vicari, who serves as Chairman of Ocean County Senior Services.
The seminar is the first of its kind for 2010 and is being hosted by The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, The Ocean
County Board of Chosen Freeholders and The Ocean County Library, together with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.
Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford noted a disturbing trend began to develop during the economic downturn in 2008 and 2009
when many seniors living in communities in Ocean County and considered watchdogs began to waver and question whether some
of the scams may be legitimate.
“Our seniors have lost income in the stock market decline as well as the failing of so many banks,” Prosecutor Ford said.
“Because of problems in the credible financial markets our seniors are growing more skeptical. We want to allay some of
those fears and provide them with helpful information so they do not become victims of financial scams.”
The seminar will include the following topics and presenters:
- Tactics Scammers are Utilizing to Get Your Money and Personal Information presented by Sgt. Cindy Boyd, Ocean County
Prosecutor’s Office.
- Alzheimer’s Disease: Information You Need to Know presented by Lynette Whiteman, Director of Caregiver Volunteers of
Central Jersey.
- Guardianships: A Brief Overview by Ocean County Surrogate Jeffrey Moran.
- How to Investigate a Financial Advisor before Investing and Investing Practices to be Wary Of presented by Vice
President-Wealth Management & Financial Planning Specialist Laurie Flynn, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.
- Services Available for Seniors in Ocean County presented by Jane Maloney, Director of the Ocean County Office of Senior
Services.
- Mail Fraud, Lotteries & Sweepstakes presented by United State Postal Inspector Joshua Shandler, US Postal Service.
- Medicare/Medicaid Fraud presented by Deputy Attorney General John Krayniak, NJ Attorney General’s Office-Chief of
Medicaid Fraud Section.
“The Toms River branch of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney is proud to be co-sponsor of the Senior Safety Seminars in our
County,” said Executive Director Christopher Shaw, Red Bank, New Jersey Complex Manager.
The seminar concludes at 1 p.m. with a question and answer session. There will be a door prize drawing for two paper
shredders and lunch catered by Capone’s Restaurant, here.
“Good information is the best tool we can provide to our residents,” said Ocean County Freeholder John P. Kelly, who
serves as Director of Law and Public Safety. “I want to commend all the presenters and participants who are dedicated
to assisting our seniors and making certain they have the best information to make good decisions.”
For more information on the seminar call Sgt. Cindy Boyd, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, Ext. 3025.
