Chase Bank and Birmingham Police Team Up to Teach Seniors About Scam Prevention

Denise Biddings was one of many seniors at the Five Points West Library on Wednesday acquiring knowledge on how to thwart scammers. She recounted a distressing incident. “My husband fell prey to a gift card scam involving [a major retailer],” she disclosed. “We lost nearly $600.”Biddings was not alone; numerous participants shared comparable tales. Chase Bank, alongside the Birmingham Police Department, facilitated an informative session focused on prevalent scams, particularly impacting seniors. Attendees heard from Chase Community Manager Geno Gardner, who regularly conducts fraud prevention workshops, as well as Birmingham Police Officer La Vanna Williams and Nia Bibbs, community relations specialist at Archwell Health. According to Gardner, seniors are often targeted due to perceived trustfulness, unfamiliarity with technology, or financial resources. In addition, Williams highlighted the increasing frequency of impersonation scams involving phony law enforcement calls. Bibbs remarked on the evolving nature of fraud in today’s climate, emphasizing the need for vigilance among citizens. Gardner encouraged seniors and their families to remain cautious and verify unsolicited requests for personal information. After the event, Biddings noted the importance of community education in recognizing potential scams.